Dowling: Restrictions on maor uisce a 'disgrace'

Former Limerick hurler Shane Dowling has branded the continuing restrictions on water carriers entering the field of play a "disgrace".

The Maor Foirne role has essentially been neutered since 2021 GAA Congress, amid concern from delegates that the role was being deployed to issue on-field tactical instructions, along with the well-worn practice of loitering in the eyeline of the opposition keeper on puckouts/kickouts.

With water-breaks abandoned after the Covid interruption, the maor uisce role was restored but was subject to tight restrictions with a requirement to stay in a designated area and no permission to enter the field of play.

It was the latter issue that was agitating Dowling, who was prevented from entering the fray while on hurley carrier duties for Limerick hurling kingpins Na Piarsaigh at the weekend.

"I know there's been a lot of air-time given to the famous Waterford man behind the goal with the ear-piece in his ear," Dowling said on the RTÉ GAA podcast.

"What do you think of amateur GAA players spending so much time training and doing tactics and video analysis and so on? And yet on game-day, they're not allowed a message being out on the field.

"Am I on my own here to think this is absolutely ridiculous? Not alone not being able to get communication onto the field but not being able to get a drop of water?

"I was doing hurleys for Na Piarsaigh. I genuinely thought I was going to be escorted over to Musgrave Street here in Limerick in the prison if I went in with a drop of water with the players.

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