THERE IS A confidence that referees will not have issues officiating Gaelic football matches in early 2019 with a set of new rules set to be implemented and there has been a call for patience to see how the changes operate in practice.
The GAA’s Central Council rubber-stamped the proposed rule changes last Saturday despite opposition from several quarters, including inter-county players.
David Hassan, the chairman of the playing rules committee, believes referees will be able to cope with the changes despite a suggestion that the handpass rule could prove particularly challenging.
And he has encouraged the rules to be given a chance in the pre-season and league action before a judgement is made.
“We spoke to referees. They have said on the whole that it isn’t a big problem for them. There will be particular education training sessions for the referees ahead of the tournaments. We can only go on the basis of what they have told us and they responded positively and don’t have a big issue with the intervention.
“I would encourage people to approach it optimistically and positively and give these experimental rules an opportunity. Let’s see how they work in practice.
“At the end of that process, we will know how they have worked in terms of the impact they will have. We will put that data again in the public domain and people can make up their own minds.”
Hassan said he understood the resistance to change but insisted the committee was not seeking to revert the game to an older style of play.
“It’s not surprising. People generally are sceptical of change. That’s true in any walk of life. I don’t have a problem with people having opinions. That’s really to be welcomed.”
“I should say that the committee, and deliberately so, was not subjective. In certain quarters we, I suppose, have been interpreted as almost a philosophical group, seeking to ‘bring the game back’, I’ve heard that phrase used.
The reality is this is designed to bring the game forward. To respond to the data which was pointing very much in one direction. We are moving in the direction of 80%, maybe more, of passes in a game of inter-county football being a hand pass.
“So, when we got the feedback from county committees and others they said they wanted to see a reassertion of the fundamental skills, catching and kicking, so we sought to reflect their views as well as what the data was telling us.”
An amended version of the kick-out proposal was passed that will see all kick-outs take place from the 20m line without having to pass the 45m line.
This was due to the original proposal not working out when trialled in October.
“In simple terms, the original proposal didn’t work on a consistent basis,” said Hassan.
“I think people conceptually understood what we were trying to move towards was a greater balance of players across the field of play and to encourage longer kicking of the ball.
“When we put it into trial, it simply did not work on a regular basis. When that information came back, we had to take it on the chin and say as, ‘as much as we can see merit in this, it’s obvious it just doesn’t work consistently’.”
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The organisers have ruined this competition. I’m delighted a French team have been given the same treatment as Leinster but it still doesn’t make it right.
Happy for Connacht though.
@Clark: what would you do though? Or what exactly can be done, considering the pandemic
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: play the feckin tie with players that have tested negative today. Same as should have been done with Leinster, we had a negative match day ready to go. These outbreaks will come and go, those players that are vaccinated and also negative on the day should be allowed play on.
You mean Testdemic.
@Clark: Agrred. These 28 :0 wins were never any good in situations where no one is at fault. Whoever came up with that should be fired on the spot! 1D10TS
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: think the point is, some games 28-0 and others 0-0.. how can that be‽?
@Eoin Roche: where you saying the same when Toulon had a match day 23 all test negative, yet the game was awarded to Leinster?
@Karl Mc Cauley: Thats easy, some games were cancalled due to covid outbreaks (which EPRC legistrates for) and awarded 28-0, and some were cancelled due to travel restrictions (which isnt legislatiled for) so were given as draws.
I didn’t see LNR say anything about it being a scandalous decision when Montpellier were handed a 28-0 win against Leinster
Well deserved, a justification for the brand of rugby they promote.
It’s a total anticlimax of a way for us to make the knockouts, but reaching the knockouts this year, is not near the same as reaching it when there’s only 8 teams, and there’s been a fair and equal group stage. However it’s still great to make it to the last 16, the aim now has to be to make sure we can put our best foot forward, and target further progression in the competition. Have to say I always liked Toulouse, but it’s totally hilarious to see the reaction from both Toulouse and the LNR. One thing to note is how the URC never came in to back Scarlets, Ospreys or Leinster when they got shafted.
@Patrick Breen: good point re the URC… And regarding getting through, its a topsy turvy year, take what you can get, and I bet there will be a great buzz in Connacht now going into this last game regardless.
@SPQH: enjoy it. Get to a semi snd earn the buzz
There’ll be no easy games in the last 16 but I’d like to avoid Racing and Leinster, Exeter and Le Rochelle also if I’m making wish-list
@mike ryan: I think they will be hoping to avoid us as well. A good win tomorrow should give us a home draw, which means we should avoid the likes of the teams you’re talking about.
@Donal McCarthy: actually, just had another look at the table, we need Scarlets to beat Bristol for that to happen. Unlikely
Castres will regret no going full guns last week, but then again they didn’t seem to be too bothered
@Scott Crossfield: I don’t think they give a daam, they’ve always been a bit of a disappointment in Europe, a bit like Montpellier.
@Scott Crossfield: if castres and wasps win toulouse go out.
@Scott Crossfield: Castes have been absolutley ridden by the Mike Addission and his team. The officals have a lot to answer for forward passes by quinns sealing off penalties not given. The last 20 miniutes of reffing was a disgrace
I had my doubts about this years H Cup when I first saw the format. But now………….. meh.
Leicester given a walkover too.
All done in trying to justify the unfair treatment of Leinster. 2 wrongs don’t make a right
More 28 nil BS.