IT IS ONE of the most famous goals in GAA history.
Dublin and Meath’s four-game Leinster championship saga in 1991 captured the imagination of the country.
Kevin Foley’s famous goal for Meath in the third replay finally helped produce an outcome as it tied the teams before David Beggy popped the winning point.
With a string of neat passes, Meath carved open the Dublin rearguard and it was Foley who planted the ball in the back of the net.
Yet one of the leading players from that game does not believe such a goal could occur in the modern game.
The Gaelic football landscape has changed dramatically since then with defensive systems and cynical fouling more prevalent.
And Meath legend Colm O’Rourke reckons current teams would not give a second thought to hauling down players in motion at such a late stage in a game.
“I think it would be fair to say it wouldn’t happen today. Teams wouldn’t give a second thought.
“You would hear even the instruction probably being shouted from the line in a lot of games – ‘Foul him’. I think the game at inter-county level is far more cynical than club. Maybe the win at all costs mentality takes over.”
YouTube: MeathClips
O’Rourke believes the introduction of the black card, which was passed at GAA Congress last weekend, in an effort to curb cynical fouling is a commendable move.
But he is baffled by the criticism of GAA figures like Louth manager Aidan O’Rourke of the new ruling.
“I think that anything that would seek to improve the game and take cynical play out of it is worth trying. I can’t understand where they (opponents of the black card) are coming from on that.
“What they are saying, in effect, is that we think the game should continue like this and that cynical play shouldn’t be punished. So I can’t see where that’s coming from.”
