Only 24 red cards issued so far in national leagues

THE GAA have issued an updated block of statistics related to the experimental yellow-card rules – using the 2008 National Leagues compared to this year – and some of the figures are quite startling.

While it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the number of yellow and red cards issued given the changes in the way certain offences are categorised, there is a reduction in the amount of red cards, which would suggest a cleaner, more productive game in football and hurling.

The football statistics are particularly revealing: in the 100 league games played to date, and with only one round remaining, a total of only eight red cards have so far been issued. In the 2008 league, where 118 games where played in total, there were a massive 91 red cards issued.

The number of yellow cards issued this year is not compared to last year given the changes in offences, but so far in 2009, the league has produced 201 yellow cards, which is an average of just over two per game.

This is a highly reflective average, the only notable fluctuation being the weekend of matches on February 15th, where the average was 3.1 per game. On the weekend of March 29th, the average was 1.25 per game.

In hurling, a substantial reduction in the number of red cards being issued is also quite evident. In 2008, there were 47 red cards issued over the course of the league. So far this year, with only one round of games remaining, the number is 16. The average number of yellow cards issued is lower than football, at 1.38 per game, with a total of 132, from the 96 games played to date.

Based on the overall analysis of the football and hurling league games to date, the GAA have deduced the following; that the experimental yellow cards are producing – 1 More playing time; 2 More scores from play; 3 Less frees; 4 Less scores from frees; 5 Higher overall scoring rate in football; there has been a slight reduction in hurling as the divisions within the league have been restructured in 2009 to give a more competitive edge; 6 More consistent application of the playing rules (referee assessments have also been factored in here); 7 Less foul play.

The list of yellow-card offences was slightly modified ahead of congress, set for April 18th, in an effort to increase the chances of them being voted into the rule book – but it still seems unlikely they will receive the necessary two-thirds majority.

One of the offences, “to wrestle with an opponent, on the ground, and away from play”, is no longer deemed a highly disruptive foul, and instead becomes a black-book offence. Congress will also have the option of doing away with any carry-over of yellow cards, where a second offence currently results in a two-week ban.

It is also notable, however, congress is getting to choose whether to incorporate some or all of the new yellow-card offences into the rule book, or do away with them completely – as they are being presented as separate motions.

The GAA have also provided one case study, the Dublin-Tyrone game in Croke Park at the start of the football league two years ago, compared to this year. This game was highlighted for the fact that both were played in Croke Park under lights with a similar build up and atmosphere.