THE PROSPECT OF the GAA’s new rule changes for Gaelic football being potentially scrapped before the league, if they are to found cause major problems in the pre-season competitions, has been raised.
Colm Begley, the experienced Laois footballer and a new programme co-ordinator with the GPA, is adamant that the GPA are in support of new rules being trialled.
But he has shared the concern of players that the rules would come into operation before the league without any review.
GAA President John Horan and his GPA counterpart Paul Flynn met on Wednesday to discuss the rules. It was announced afterwards that a Central Council meeting on 19 January will undertake a review of the rules, a week before the 2019 Allianz football league commences.
A Central Council meeting last Saturday had sanctioned the trial of the new rules which involve kickouts, handpassing, a sin-bin, an attacking mark and sideline kicks.
“If they’re reviewed and they go well, then players will probably adapt to them pretty well in decent competitions,” said Begley, before he headed to Philadelphia as part of the travelling party for the 2018 PWC All-Stars tour.
“Not ideal, but it would happen. We can’t just say, ‘throw them out’. Maybe ideally next year they would have been put in place in the League if they went well.
“If they review it and some of them don’t go well, then they’ll be pulled out or they’ll be tweaked. I think they’ll look at them, and if they’re not working or effective they won’t be involved in the League. That’s my understanding of it.”
Begley was keen to stress the importance that players place on the league and the worry that trying to adjust to new rules would impact on their individual performances.
“Paul and John met and just had a meeting about the new rules. I think the main points that Paul raised were that the GPA
are totally behind the new rules being implemented and tried out to try to help and change the game.
“The players are behind that. But I think the major concern for us and the members of the GPA was that these rules would be put into the league without review.
“Obviously the league is a massive competition. Probably the primary competition for a lot of players. So the concern for our members was that these rules were going to be put into the league no matter what happened in pre-season.
“Our viewpoint with that was that after the pre-season competition was that they would be reviewed and looked at. We have around 50 games in the pre-season competitions overall and that they’d be looked at individually to see whether they worked to improve the game.
“And the GAA told us that on 19 January there will be a review for it. We’re happy enough with that, that’s all we can ask for.
“The players aren’t against the new rules being put in place. These rules could be fantastic and if they are, then brilliant.
“But it’s only a month and a half to the league, and they’re only being introduced now. It’s very hard for players to these new rules and implement them properly and change tactics if needs be.
“That was our primary concern, and, in fairness to John and the GAA, they told us they’ll review it on the 19th which is good.”
Begley commenced a new role last week that wsee him working with the GPA.
“I was working with Laois GAA and the Leinster Council combined. Down there doing a GDA role. I started doing a job with the GPA last week, a new role, programme co-ordinator.
“I started the role there last Monday. It’s a new full-time job, they employed two people. I’m working with the player welfare and player development and overseeing their projects and starting new projects as well.
“A newly created job. Paul (Flynn) is trying to get a few new faces in, and, so far so good.”
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Was a very tough break as he was definitely well able to make birdie at the last for the play off but wasn’t really stolen from him to be fair. Straka played sensational golf when it counted from 14
@Anthony Ryan: Lowrys 3rd shot just wasn’t good enough when Strakas 2nd was. Lowry was amazing all day but Straka deserved it for me.
@Gary O’Rourke: don’t know if you have ever tried taking a golf shot during a Florida down pour but I am going to guess you haven’t . Lowry rushed but unlucky timing without a doubt . Straka got a drive away that Lowry didn’t have a chance to as the down pour had started in between their tee shots . Straka was brilliant and deserved it but luck also played a part no doubt about it .
Unfortunately had a poor tee shot on 18, otherwise flawless. Love Lowry, a class act. Superb weekend’s play.
Who doesn’t love this man, I could only imagine the scenes if he wins at Augusta
@Cranesofdublin: I don’t. I used to but not anymore.
@Paul Kelleher: Why is that Paul ?
If this was McIlroy, there’d be lads on here saying he’s a choker.
@Eoin McCarthy: hardly the same situation. Lowry didn’t have one bogey while in the lead group in the final round on a tough course
With an $872,000 prize for second I think he’ll be okay.
@feargal de cantuin: they are professionals and winning is everything ! Ok, the money helps lessen the burden.
You can see he left the rain get to him emotionally even before tee shot” as in why me” it’s something he has to work on because it holds him back ,look it was a bad break but that’s golf
@Jem Mehmet: He could do with someone like you on board. He might make it in golf one day. Here’s hoping.
Used to be a huge fan of Lowrys but I just cant warm to him anymore. His comments re the Saudi golf situation just did it for me. Was watching him last night but not really rooting for him. I wanted to but I just couldn’t. Cant help but feel he got a little bit of Karma with the downpour. For him to say the tournament was ‘stolen’ from him was ridiculous. Straka scored -3 over the last 5 holes while Lowry stayed even par. The back 9 on Sunday is when it really counts and he didn’t perform well enough. Straka had 4 shots in the rain while Lowry had 5 and he moans about it. After missing out on the win I dont know how he is going to put food on the table. I suppose there is alwsys SA! Seamus, Rory and Murphy to name a few are the ones I’m shouting for from now on.
Unlucky Shane…keep at it, doing us proud.
the article isn’t correct. Lowry wasn’t forced to lay up because of the rain, he was forced to layup because he hit a terrible drive pulling it way left into heavy rough. Strake played the back 9 brilliantly and was deserved winner.
But sure Lowry will have his appearance fee from the Saudi International to put food on the table so he’ll be fine.