In most football games now it is a common sight to see a player failing to release the ball after the ref has blown for a free against him. Then a melee develops as opposing players try to wrestle the ball off him. Often it develops into what happened in the Roscommon/Mayo game where one of the players trying to retrieve the ball strikes the player in possession. In Roscommon's case it led to the loss of a player, loss of the free and a point scored against them. You can't condone striking for any reason and in this case it didn't affect the result.
I do remember a tight Ulster c'ship game between Monaghan and Fermanagh where it may have affected the result. No doubt there are lots of other examples. Surely it's time this became a yellow card offence. It's extremely frustrating for the team trying to play the ball away quickly and simply bringing the ball forward does not compensate them. (It is somewhat similar to the situation where a player initiates a scuffle but gets off without punishment whilst the player who reacts gets carded).

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 09/08/2017 17:22:58    2031711

Mayo are very good at this

BartMcQueen (Cork) - Posts: 196 - 10/08/2017 11:14:12    2031901

If there is no penalty then it will continue to happen.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 10/08/2017 11:23:06    2031907

It's annoying alright, but the player should not take matters into their own hands. The rules only allow to bring the ball forward once, and if the player keeps interfering a yellow. Maybe keep bringing the ball forward, and hand out yellows for each infraction after the ball is moved forward?

Regarding the specific incident, Mayo were cruising, no need to behave in that manner so close to the Roscommon goal, there was no threat. Many would agree that the player deserved a thump in that instance but, it's for the referee to decide on the punishment not the players on the field.

CletusVanDamme (Kerry) - Posts: 63 - 10/08/2017 11:51:32    2031923

A code of conduct for BOTH sides should be applied.

When the whistle sounds, play should stop. All players should look to the ref for a decision.

If the player in possession is awarded the free, the opposition should retreat immediately and should be allowed to retreat immediately.

If the player in possession is being penalised, he should place the ball on the ground and retreat immediately. However, the opposition must allow him to do this. They must not attempt to wrestle the ball from his hands. This only results in a reaction which slows up release.

Strict enforcement of the code on both sides would help to reduce the number of incidents.

tommy58 (Dublin) - Posts: 169 - 11/08/2017 19:54:59    2032446

A new rule, anywhere on pitch this happens, a free from the 14m line. It would stamp it out quick schnappy. It's like the black card, the rules need to be brutal to stamp it out.

galwaydublin (Galway) - Posts: 226 - 12/08/2017 12:50:10    2032576

I'm inclined to agree with Cletus; I read the first post, formed my opinion and found shortly that Cletus's was the same. When a team is awarded a free, they're entitled to take it immediately. If the offending team unfairly prevents this, then maybe move the ball forward 10 metres. And if they still do it, either in the same place or 10 metres away or anywhere, move it forward another 10 metres. And so on. Very soon, if a team sees a free against them being moved 40 metres, they'll learn to behave.

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1029 - 12/08/2017 22:51:32    2032672

One solution is for the ref to blow the whistle and demand the ball, he then places the ball onto the ground and the option for the player to take the free is up to him either on the ground or from his hands, this stops dragging and wrestling with opposition players, already you see some players trying to block 'the mark' trying to slow down the opponent taking his mark

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 12/08/2017 23:47:29    2032680