Outfielders playing in goal – it’s the way forward.
Last season, many scoffed when Kieran McGeeney threw former Queens midfielder Paul Courtney in goal in a championship match against Cavan.
McGeeney was thinking outside the box and Courtney was playing outside the square. Far, far away from it.
The experiment failed but it did not stop Meath’s new management ticket from including Joe Sheridan on their bench, for last night’s O’Byrne Cup action, as substitute goalkeeper.
Sheridan played eight seasons for The Royal County as a forward and his controversial, late goal secured them a 2010 Leinster Final victory over Louth.
Interesting goings on in Meath #ICYMI https://t.co/0Zvf10zdrb
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 21, 2016
Last night at Parnell Park, Jack McCaffrey made his play.
The 2015 Footballer of the Year does most of his best work in the half-back line and started for his UCD side, against Dublin, in the No.6 jersey.
The students beat Dublin 2-9 to 1-10 and McCaffrey was absolutely crucial in the win, which was an upset despite the bulk of the Dubs being off in the Caribbean on a team holiday.
In the closing stages, McCaffrey stepped up, demanded the ball and swung over an insurance point. Then, he hauled back and pitched in to keep his other team from scoring.
With the cup tie heading to injury time, McCaffrey retreated to the UCD goal-line and superbly clawed away a goal-bound effort as ‘keeper Colm Honan looked on helplessly. His save ensured UCD closed out a fantastic victory.
Great to see Jack McCaffrey in good form today and back on the pitch, will be good to have him back this season #OByrneCup
— Sinéad Farrelly (@SineadCFarrelly) January 11, 2017
ICYMI last night Jack McCaffrey was back as @UCDGAA beat @DubGAAOfficial in the Bord na Mona #OByrneCup! @LiveGAAResults pic.twitter.com/8otHi5lYzS
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) January 12, 2017
One wonders what Dublin boss Jim Gavin will make of the McCaffrey save when he returns home.
Many have tried to oust long-time goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton – Evan Comerford the latest caretaker for the No.1 jersey – but we could have a live contender in McCaffrey. Knowing the lad he is, he’d probably be bloody great at it.
