Why is there a black section on the crossbar of a GAA goalpost?

[Jimmy14]

Thanks for the responses folks!

[Shamrock Shore]

Dev insisted on it after the came back to sign the book of condolences for Hitler in 1945.

[illdecide]

I was told it acts both for goalkeeper to keep in the centre of the goals and for players shooting as it gives them something to aim for...well i wasn't told (made that up) but did hear that on the radio last week

[maguire 4 mayo]

it doesn't seem to help our forwards at all