Hurling rules

Sir, – Denis Walsh’s article “Hurling must aim for small, meaningful, wins to end inertia” (Sport, September 23rd) referred to the GAA’s latest Hurling Development Committee (HDC), which has been appointed by GAA president Jarlath Burns, with its main remit being to promote the spread of hurling, but will also be a forum to discuss potential structure and rule changes.

While the article focused on the challenges facing the HDC on the promotion of hurling in communities across the country through the provision of support and resources, nevertheless it neglected to mention a fundamental issue that exists in the sport, which is the unpenalised throwing of the ball by players in simulation of a handpass. For the record Hurling’s Technical Playing Rule 4.2(a) states that it is a foul to throw the ball. This problem cannot be resolved without a rule change.

Denis Walsh compliments the HDC for not making any outlandish promises in relation to how it plans to promote hurling, which he says is a good start. Indeed, it would be a much better start if the HDC were to state that they favour an immediate rule change for the purpose of eliminating the blight of ball throwing from our national sport. – Yours, etc,

CONOR O’DONOVAN,