No room for the little man in the modern game of hurling according to Shane McGrath

Former Tipperary star Shane McGrath says hurling has changed, with strong athletes now dominating and fewer of those exciting, evenly-matched 50:50 contests.

McGrath played for Tipperary during their 2010 All-Ireland victory and also featured in the 2011 and 2014 finals.

Looking back on the dramatic drawn final with Kilkenny 12 years ago, McGrath told the RTÉ GAA Podcast: "I was involved in the 2014 final and after eight or nine minutes I was at the peak of my fitness. I was absolutely wrecked, tired, and I thought this game can't get any faster. Ten minutes in, you're looking up at the clock, and it's just bang, bang, bang."

The game has continued to accelerate. McGrath noted, "It was never played faster, never played by athletes in such condition as we have had in the last few years."

"I look at the final that went to extra-time two years ago (Clare-Cork) and the pace of that game. And then I look back at some of the games from last year; it has gone to another level now. The game is being played faster now by stronger and faster athletes."

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But it’s not just speed and strength that have changed; the whole way the game is played has changed.

Defenders no longer just hit the ball anywhere toward the other team’s side. Every pass is planned, and every move has a purpose. As McGrath says, players are more accurate with their passes now because teams play in well-organised areas.

He continued: "You rarely see a corner-back collect the ball on the 21 and simply drive it down the field. Players now aim to reach a delivery zone, typically the 45-yard line, before playing a calculated ball into the forwards or carrying it themselves."

"It is now rare to see a true 50:50 ball played in, which has reduced the excitement once associated with breaking balls."

"Teams are set up to give in a 70-30 ball the whole time. They get to that zone, carry it or play it around in triangles, then give a quality ball in. It's rare enough now you're getting a 6 v 6 inside the 45 with a 50:50 ball coming in. So the breaking ball, and where it's going has gone out of the game."

The former Tipp midfielder admits he and players like Joe Deane, Cha Fitzpatrick, or Kevin Broderick might find it tough to thrive in today’s game. Now, hurling belongs to towering, supremely fit athletes, and unless you fit that mould, pure skill alone is no longer enough. The game is played differently now."

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