Tyrone goalkeeper Pascal McConnell wasn't surprised to see the 'square ball' rule amended at last weekend's Congress.

From now on, attacking players will be allowed to enter the small square before the ball arrives, meaning goalkeepers will no longer have the protection they've enjoyed for many years. McConnell, however, has no major problems with the new rule, telling the Irish News:

"It was inevitable that they were going to change something with regard to protection for us goalkeepers.

"I was anticipating a rule change, and what has come about is going to keep us on our toes, and make sure we are on our guard that bit more, but so be it."

He added: "Personally speaking, it was good to have had that bit of added protection in the small square. Now that is being done away with, we have just go to deal with it and get on with it.

"My own opinion is that we have got to contend with it and we have just got to be that bit more vigilant with incoming forwards. It will maybe cut down on a lot of the controversial decisions that have come about." Tweet

Most Read Stories