Inside Track with John McIntyre

GETTING through rule changes at the annual GAA Congress has often been an arduous and unsuccessful process, but last weekend’s gathering of the Association’s top brass proved a notable exception. As one Galway delegate put it: “We could have done it all in half an hour on Zoom!”

The issue at stake was the proposed new rule changes to try and reinvigorate Gaelic football. Clearly, something had to be done as the game had become a turn-off for spectators, particularly due to massed defences and the frustrating amount of lateral movement. A lot of teams were being set up not to lose rather than going out to win.

New GAA President Jarlath Burns, a former Armagh player, had made it his primary objective to tackle the ills of Gaelic football in the first year of his tenure. And to expedite the process a high-profile Football Review Committee, led by Dublin multiple All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin, was appointed.

Gavin hadn’t achieved what he did with Dublin without being a slave to detail and hugely professional. He brought those same characteristics to his new role and along with other former inter-county managers Eamonn Fitzgerald, James Horan and Colm Gavin, together with now no longer ex-Donegal footballer Michael Murphy, the committee worked assiduously in trying to come up with a formula to make the game more appealing.

The new rules were trialled during the recently revived Inter-pro series – a once off – and though the reviews were mixed, there was no doubt that the game was speeded up, there was more scoring, and the exchanges were far less claustrophobic. Not everything proved popular and the goal being worth four points and converted ‘45s having a two-point value were kicked to touch.

Ultimately, delegates were almost unanimous in giving the thumbs up to the rule proposals at Saturday’s Special Congress which means they will operate during the National League and All-Ireland Championship in 2025, with a review at the end of the season to see what worked and what needs to be tweaked.

So, what are the main changes?  Only two midfielders will contest the throw in with the other two positioned on the sideline; goalkeepers can only receive a pass inside their own rectangle or inside the opposition’s half; teams must have at least three players in each half of the field; awarding two points for a kick from outside the 40m arc; the solo & go which allows a player to play on immediately when awarded a free; dissent to be punished by moving the ball forward 50m; and only a captain or nominated deputy can communicate with the referee.

Pictured: Annaghdown’s Riona Quinn breaking away from Sarah Hurley of O’Donovan Rossa during Sunday’s All-Ireland Club Intermediate Ladies Football semi-final in Cregg. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.