Ask The Players: Do players like penalties?

Do players like penalties?

With more club championships being decided by spot kicks, we asked the question, are they the

best way to decide drawn games?

Patrick McBride (Antrim)

What have been the most notable penalty shoot outs that you have watched in the GAA recently?

I watched the Trillick and Killyclougher penalties, St Gall’s Portglenone and Warrenpoint v Clonduff. Great entertainment.

What are the pros to having penalty shoot outs in the GAA?

I think the pros are that the game is finished on the day. Playing for St John’s as a dual club it is very difficult to complete against the clubs playing one code as when they are resting we are playing another big game. So for us it would mean no replay mid week before another game at the weekend.

What are the cons to having penalty shoot outs in the GAA?

The con is that it is not a nice way to lose a game as it doesn’t really reflect on how the team played or who worked harder etc. It’s down to a few kickers and everything you worked on during the year is out the window when it comes to the spot kicks. It’s not nice but sport can be cruel and that’s the way it is.

What do you think of alternatives to penalty shoot outs? Replays? Free kick competitions? Any others.

I think the penalties are more entertaining than the free kicks and the replays have already been there before so we know what we are getting with them. Replays also give you another chance to watch what could have been a great battle in the previous game.

Do you think the GAA should continue with using penalty shoot outs to decide matches?

I think replays are fine but when it comes to a time like this with a condensed championship with teams playing two codes, penalties are the way forward.

Jack Brady (Cavan)

What have been the most notable penalty shoot outs that you have watched in the GAA recently?

Trillick v Derrygonnelly would stand out as it was one of the first I saw.

What are the pros to having penalty shoot outs in the GAA?

Pros would be reducing burn out, giving the underdog a chance to take out the big guns if they get close, entertainment value is up too. Fixture congestion is eased, and there’s more time for winning team to recover/prepare.

What are the cons to having penalty shoot outs in the GAA?

It is a horrible way to lose a game. You would have to feel for any man that misses a penalty. Unfortunately it can go awful hard on a young man and his family. That’s the reality.

What do you think of alternatives to penalty shoot outs? Replays? Free kick competitions? Any others.

I would play five more minutes a half (ten mins total) again, if level after that I would do what they do in the NFL and play the first team to score. It would take away the mental turmoil that penalties could unleash on an individual player.

Do you think the GAA should continue with using penalty shoot outs to decide matches

Personally no. I would much prefer more extra time followed by a golden score.