Could some uniform rule not be introduced whereby the clash of team colours can be minimised for the benefit of players and spectators alike. Two instances:
An elderly uncle (retired clergyman who knows nothing about GAA but there ye go) comes to the house of a Sunday to dine and watch whatever is on TG4 (or indeed RTE when they are not at Finn Harps). Tipperary vs. Clare is on. I am away at a local game. He has the poor missus distrauhht changing his glasses and moving him closer to the TV so that he can make out one team from the other.
Sitting at the recent Mayobridge vs. Dromre club game, good seat in the stand, one team sky blue the other in (dare I say it) royal blue. As the sun dipped in the sky an elderly gentleman in front of me was having great problems telling the teams apart. Turns out he is a former top Croke Park GAA official! Heard him complain that nothing is ever done to anticipate this problem (maybe he should have done something about it in his day).
Solution? Each visiting team should be required to carry an alternative strip and approval to be given by the referee before the teams take the field. The alternative strip should be as far removed in colours and design from normal strip as possible. Similar issues crop up with goalkeepers from time to time.
An elderly uncle (retired clergyman who knows nothing about GAA but there ye go) comes to the house of a Sunday to dine and watch whatever is on TG4 (or indeed RTE when they are not at Finn Harps). Tipperary vs. Clare is on. I am away at a local game. He has the poor missus distrauhht changing his glasses and moving him closer to the TV so that he can make out one team from the other.
Sitting at the recent Mayobridge vs. Dromre club game, good seat in the stand, one team sky blue the other in (dare I say it) royal blue. As the sun dipped in the sky an elderly gentleman in front of me was having great problems telling the teams apart. Turns out he is a former top Croke Park GAA official! Heard him complain that nothing is ever done to anticipate this problem (maybe he should have done something about it in his day).
Solution? Each visiting team should be required to carry an alternative strip and approval to be given by the referee before the teams take the field. The alternative strip should be as far removed in colours and design from normal strip as possible. Similar issues crop up with goalkeepers from time to time.