Advertisement
James Horan: aiming to win first tournament of the year. Tommy Dickson/INPHO

James Horan: Mayo will be ready for 'crazy' new rule changes

Five new laws have been brought into the game on a trial basis.

MAYO FOOTBALL MANAGER James Horan says he has no idea how referees are going to manage with the ‘crazy’ new rules brought in for the early part of the season, but he says his side will find a way to cope.

Horan will take charge of Mayo for the first game of his second stint when they open their FBD League campaign this Sunday against Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon, but he admits to being concerned by the new rules.

Five new rules have been brought into the game on a trial basis, which include limiting the consecutive number of handpasses to three; the use of a sin bin; and a new forward-only sideline kick rule.

But Horan is skeptical and expects plenty of trouble for overworked referees in the games ahead.

“Let’s see how they are. Look, I wouldn’t be a fan of them. I think they’re a little bit crazy to be honest,” said Horan, who is back at the helm in Mayo after a four-year absence.

“I don’t know what we’re trying to do to referees. How they’re going to be refereed I just don’t know. You’ve seen it in quite a lot of games already where they’ve been used.

“I’m not sure what’s going to be brought in for the national league so we’ll just have to wait and see. We have to play with what’s there.

“We’ve done a little bit of work on it and we’ll make sure the players understand it. We’ll play whatever’s happening.”

This year’s FBD League will be played on a knock-out basis, with the winner of the Leitrim versus Mayo game going on to face Galway in Tuam Stadium the following Sunday in the semi-final. Sligo and Roscommon will face off in the other semi-final, with the final pencilled in for Sunday, 20 January.

Horan has inherited a very experienced panel from Stephen Rochford, but he says he is keen to see how some new players get out in an inter-county competition they’re keen to succeed in.

“We’re out to win the FBD for a start. It’s been a while since we won a competition so it’d be great to get that feeling again,” Horan told Mayo GAA TV.

“Obviously we have a number on long-term injuries, but outside that we have a very strong panel to pick from. We’ve brought in a lot of new guys to the extended panel so we are very keen to see what they can do in the FBD competition.

“And we have a number of experienced guys pushing hard because they don’t want to miss out as well.

“We are away in Carrick in the first game and we are looking at guys that are performing well in training. You’ll be starting whether you’re 17 or 36.”

Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Duignan
    Favourite David Duignan
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 10:41 AM

    A real superstar in the making. Injury robbed him for the last 8 months but hopefully he’ll come back better than ever.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Lally
    Favourite John Lally
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 10:54 AM

    It’s a shame that these guys will never get the recognition of their achievements that other athletes do. These guys are more determined and better all-round athletes than just about any other sport. He’s an inspiration, a lot of people probably told him over the years he was too small to succeed but he’s proved everyone wrong. Hopefully he’ll be back for Wrestlemania, a fight with AJ Styles would be phenomenal

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergal Murray
    Favourite Fergal Murray
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 12:23 PM

    John, A lot of people probably told him? Seriously?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean D
    Favourite Sean D
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 2:08 PM

    The man started the bullet club which is the biggest wresting stable in the world at the moment. His achievements are amazing. Talk about chasing your child hood dreams. Fair play to him and all that comes with his fame. #tosweet

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute blueman79
    Favourite blueman79
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 12:51 PM

    Why is this on a sports website ?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Kennedy
    Favourite Billy Kennedy
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 2:08 PM

    @blueman79: Whatever you think of wrestling – there is no doubt that this man put in a serious level of athletic performance and training to get where he is.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute david lydon
    Favourite david lydon
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 7:19 AM

    As do ballet dancers and stuntmen. Fun maybe .But its not sport

    2
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute blueman79
    Favourite blueman79
    Report
    Feb 20th 2017, 11:59 AM

    Lol

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Fogarty
    Favourite Nigel Fogarty
    Report
    Feb 17th 2017, 5:45 PM

    I have met fintan several times in marbella , some man for the yarns and the few pints. A top man.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel