A surprise ruling by the GAA could see one of hurling’s great traditions disappear. A proposal by the Hurling Development Committee to abolish the throw-in at the start of the game was approved by Central Council delegates on Saturday. The new procedure will be given a trial during the forthcoming National Hurling League. Instead of the traditional throw-in, both halves will now start with a puck-out by the goalkeeper. The procedure is aimed at eliminating the type of "unseemly" incidents that have become part and parcel of the throw-in. The most obvious example was the severe swinging, jostling and pulling that preceded the infamous Munster Final replay between Waterford and Clare in 1998.
Another radical proposal, to alter the penalty-taking procedure, was rejected. The proposal suggested that all players bar the goalkeeper, his two colleagues on the line, and the penalty-taker be kept outside the 45 metre line while the penalty was being taken. The proposal also suggested that if the shot was stopped or struck an upright a puck out would be awarded to the defending team – thus eliminating goalmouth melees following rebounds.
It was also proposed to have the top two divisions reduced in number of teams from seven to six, with relegation and promotion implications. The Central Council heard that there were further structural proposals being touted by the Hurling Development Committee, but that they needed to be examined by the GAC.
