Oct 22,2024
While the proposed new playing rules having a definite aim of speeding up the game of Gaelic football, Éamonn Fitzmaurice is hoping that the emphasis on speed won't lead to a wider gulf between counties, an expects that teams will let the ball do the work in transitioning up the field.
Over the weekend, Croke Park trialled the 'seven core enhancements' set out by the Football Review Committee, with the return of the interprovincial series giving the wider public a chance to see the proposals.
While some of the players and managers involved are not convinced by all the proposed rules, committee member Fitzmaurice was satisfied with what transpired over the four games, with Ulster running out winners after edging Connacht on penalties in the decider.
"I wouldn't say we were nervous [beforehand] because we had seen seven games previous to that where we had been trialling the enhancements, trying to improve them and road-test them as we were going. We were anticipating it more than anything else in general, and hoping that the whole country would get to see what we had been seeing over the course of the summer.
"I thought that you could see straight away, even within the 24 hours, the way the players and coaches were starting to grasp the enhancements and put little nuances into them. The second game on Saturday [Ulster beating Connacht] probably gave a great portrayal of what we are trying to do and the potential of these proposed enhancements."
Higher levels of fitness, without doubt, will be required if the proposed changes are implemented. "It's a good complaint", said Fitzmaurice, when asked whether such a requirement could lead to more mismatches at inter-county.
"Personally speaking, where I could see it going as the game develops, we'll see more teams moving the ball on through the lines because with the 3-3 structure rule there is shape there to do that.
"I think we'll see less of teams constantly up and down the pitch at 100 miles an hour. Even by the final quarter of the final on Saturday evening, I think we saw where Ulster, in particular, were able to take the pace out of the game. As it develops, not every player will feel that they have to join every attack and also help out defensively."
Saturday next will see a meeting of the GAA's Central Council, where a decision will be made as to which of the seven rule changes will be voted on at a special congress at the end of November.
"We're hoping for all seven," said Fitzmaurice.
"I think the ambition is needed and we are hoping that all seven core enhancements get through because they do work together and are kind of interdependent, some more so than others. We are travelling hopefully."
The former Kerry player and All-Ireland winning manager is also hoping that the pre-season competitions will be reinstated in January to give counties a chance to work on whatever is proposed for 2025 ahead of league and championship.
On Sunday evening, Cavan GAA tabled a motion for the upcoming Central Council meeting requesting to reverse an earlier decision to eliminate all pre-season tournaments from the schedule in January.
"It would be brilliant to have them this season, to give teams an opportunity to test them out, get a few competitive games played before the National League.
"Cavan are proposing a motion to have that decision rescinded.
"We'll see if that comes about, it's obviously outside our remit but from a common-sense perspective it would definitely make sense this year to give teams an opportunity to test them out."
