Concerned managers highlight flaws in new rules

REACTION TO NEW DISCIPLINARY RULES:THE FIRST step in the GAA's experimental playing rules was to get them off the ground. Their sustainability, unlike in 2005 when they meekly collapsed after the initial wave of resistance, faced its first significant challenge when representatives of managers from each province and each code met key officials in Croke Park last night.

Other issues were on the agenda – match regulations and the much contested pre-Christmas break – but primarily managerial feedback on the new sanctions were gathered from respected hurling men like Clare’s Mike McNamara and Antrim’s Terence McNaughton.

“The referees have been quite open-minded but some of the rules defy logic,” said McNamara. “The second yellow card leading to a fortnight suspension can hopefully be confined to whatever team the player is representing or the competition so if he is put off twice for his college or playing Waterford Crystal that it doesn’t affect his involvement in the National League.”

A major concern voiced by McNamara and fellow managers, including Mayo’s John O’Mahony, is whether the experiments can be fine-tuned (as Liam O’Neill’s playing rules committee stated was a possibility) before the National League starts. “There are not going to be any changes but we will listen to what they are going to say and elicit their viewpoints,” said Pat Daly, the GAA director of games, yesterday.

McNamara retained some concerns about how much input managers will really be afforded. “Hopefully this will be a discussion and not, as is sometimes the case on arrival up in Croke Park, that we are being told what is happening.

“Some rules had to come in, like the abuse of referees and officials has been getting progressively worse. It is an easy way out for managers to be blaming officials after their team lose. The tackle around the head and swing back of the hurley also had to be addressed. But remember hurling is a physical game and there will always be some ferocious challenges in the Munster championship.”

Entering his second season with the Clare hurlers, McNamara went on to question the rationale behind altering the meaning of a yellow card in Gaelic games.

“I don’t see the need for a player to be sent off for (committing) silly frees. The yellow card has always been used as a warning in all sports so I don’t know why we are adopting it in this way.

“There is nothing wrong with the game of hurling; we would be careful not to ruin it as a spectacle. If someone is over-physical, you can be over-physical with him. Joe Canning was put off for an innocuous foul last week (for LIT) – for holding his hurley too high. People pay money to come see Joe Canning play and now he is not allowed finish the game. That is a problem.”

A general concern from managers is that the current laws, specifically the dismissal for wrestling on the ground, allows leading players to be targeted by cynical tactics. “There is a school of thought that anybody with an insidious nature would take advantage of them,” said Armagh football manager Peter McDonnell.

“A manager can throw in a player to wrestle the opposition’s key player to the ground and then both would be sent off. I hope that wouldn’t happen but in the heat of battle all managers are susceptible to such temptation.”

McDonnell also made it apparent that although representing other Ulster football inter-county managers, he is not necessarily echoing their individual views. “My contact details were sent out to the other managers but I received no contact (back) directly so I’m reading between the lines.”

Only two weekends of pre-season football and hurling have taken place but perceived flaws have already become apparent. Louth football manager Eamonn McEneaney feels the tempo of the game has been slowed by the new system.

“A lot of managers are waiting a little longer to give it their complete rubber-stamping but most of them feel it is putting an awful lot of pressure on referees.

“The black tick slows down the game so maybe the fourth official can be wired up, like in championship, to help speed up this process.

“If wired up to the line the referee could mention an indiscretion and allow play to continue before checking with the fourth official at the next break in play.

“Immediate positives are the sanction for taking out the man for a return pass as well as dragging and pulling the man down. A number of managers feel it is taking the physicality out of games but I think players are just being over-cautious at present.”

Overall, last night’s meeting could be the first of many formal interactions ahead of congress, the regular referees’ meeting also takes place this week, but many intercounty managers will feed opinions through the county board who will in turn provide a mandate for their delegates ahead of the ultimate decision being made on these experiments in April.

INTERCOUNTY MANAGER REPRESENTATIVES: Munster: Mike McNamara (Clare hurling manager), John Evans (Tipperary football manager). Connacht: Martin Brennan (Mayo hurling manager), John O’Mahony (Mayo football manager). Ulster: Peter McDonnell (Armagh football manager), Terence McNaughton (Antrim hurling manager). Leinster: Eamonn McEneaney (Louth football manager), Jim Greene (former Carlow hurling manager).*

* Not expected to attend.