The decision to introduce new experimental rules for Gaelic football last weekend might have attracted many curious people to matches in the O'Byrne Cup in Leinster and FBD inter-county league in Connacht - but the weather put an end to that.
In Aughrim, Wicklow and Meath scored nine points apiece in their O'Byrne Cup clash and that didn't inform or surprise anyone. Nevertheless, it was an historic game in modern times in that all 18 points were scored at the same end of the pitch, neither side being able to record a score when playing against the wind. As well as that, two referees were employed for the first time. One can only welcome the attempts being made to sort out the problems which bedevil Gaelic football, but the decision to bring the experiments into operation at this time of year must be questioned.
In this respect it has to be conceded that most of the criticism of Gaelic football's miseries arises from what spectators see in championship games during the summer. It would, therefore, be foolish to use current matches as "guinea pig" occasions since climatic conditions will not provide ideal situations for either players, referees or observers.
It would be wrong to use the matches played in the depths of winter as touchstones for any radical changes, although that is not to suggest that the effort is not worthwhile.
In this respect the McKenna Cup in Ulster, which will start in late spring, may well provide the most informative information of all.
The first series of matches in the Connacht League, which was completely wiped out by the weather last weekend, is now re-scheduled for next weekend, more in hope than conviction. Matches between Sligo and Roscommon and Mayo and Leitrim at Coola and Charlestown respectively have been re-fixed for Sunday.
The O'Byrne Cup matches between Kildare and Louth and Westmeath and Kilkenny, postponed last weekend, will, hopefully, go ahead at Newbridge and Mullingar, respectively, while the replay of the MeathWicklow tie is scheduled for Navan.
As the Clare hurlers and their manager, Ger Loughnane, sun themselves in Las Vegas, Hawaii and San Diego, it seems certain that Loughnane will remain in charge of the side for, at least, another National League and championship.
Loughnane seemed to be uncertain about his future after leading Clare to two All-Ireland victories within three years but he admitted before he left on the sunshine holiday that "it is 99 per cent certain" that he would remain in charge until the end of the coming championship.
The death has taken place, at his home in Dungarvan, Waterford, of the longest-serving secretary in the history of Waterford GAA. Declan Goode (84), held the position of secretary for 43 years and was honorary life president of the board for a further 27 years.
During a distinguished playing career he won All-Ireland minor and junior hurling championship medals with his native county and was full forward on the Waterford team that lost narrowly to Dublin in the 1938 All-Ireland senior finals.
