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Some Updates On The Football Review

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "What is the next step in the process in relation to the rule changes?
I thought the rule changes were to run for a full season (club and county) but talking to someone today they thought there was to be a review after the current league.

Personally I think all the rules should be left in place for a full season (club and county) as it will only be when players/ coaches have got used to them that we will have a real feel for how the game will look if we retain them.

Also the players/ coaches need some sense of certainty about the rules if they are going to give them a fair go."
My understanding is the rules are under constant review from here on by the FRC and changes or tweaks can be made if there's an obvious problem or a negative impact emerging. Those changes can be made throughout the season as I understand it, but hopefully that won't happen and I don't think it will as generally the new rules are working very well in most people's views.

So after seeing two games (both Carlow matches in person) I hope they leave them as they are until the end of the year at least and give them the full year of county and club without changing them. I was a sceptic but I've changed as I have really enjoyed the two games so far as they were definitely better spectacles, compared to equivalent games last year. My biggest issue is policing the 3 up rule - and that's going to cause major problems if the linesmen don't start helping the refs. I have seen it breached in both games and I have seen the linesmen do nothing even though subs and mentors are roaring at them to bring it to their attention but they're ignoring it. It cost Carlow a win in their first game but we'll get over it but if that happens in the last minute of a knock out championship game that's level there'll be ructions. How it can be policed at club level is virtually impossible but let's see first.

For me the tap and go, the kick out and the 3 up are the biggest positives, despite the policing issue. I could take or leave the two-pointers especially as they can be weather dependent and I don't think teams can be banking on them as a strategy to win matches. The 3 up is the game changer strategy though especially if two of them can be speed merchants as those teams will get goal chances galore when the ground dries out.

Re the keeper issue I's leave it as is. The keeper creates a 12 v 11 overload - if you can't have that then the attacking team will resort to passing it over and back around the opposition 65 waiting and probing for an opportunity to get a fella in position to break a line. Whereas with the keeper up they can have an overload and go attack straight away with less passing around probing.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1465 - 05/02/2025 20:16:45    2589668

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@bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1411 - 05/02/2025 19:04:12

During 2025, the rules can be modified 'at any time', but most likely, to preserve integrity for both League and Championship, any tweaks will most likely occur between both competitions.

After the 2025 Championship, another special congress will determine if the 'rule enhancements' will be made permanent for 2026 and beyond.
That all sounds fair.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3068 - 05/02/2025 20:24:40    2589669

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There could be some tweaks to the new rules before Round 5. Keepers creating 12 v 11 and having to hand the ball back to an opponent could be in line for some tweaking.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8514 - 06/02/2025 09:10:01    2589717

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Replying To legendzxix:  "There could be some tweaks to the new rules before Round 5. Keepers creating 12 v 11 and having to hand the ball back to an opponent could be in line for some tweaking."
I think you're right with tweaks to those two - although IMO, any changes won't happen (and shouldn't) until the Championship to keep the integrity of both competitions. That's the fairest, I suppose.

I think '3 up/ 'any 4' back minimum is the best remedy to having a max 11v11 in attack. It would have wide support - you and I like it - and 'liberal' goalkeepers would not feel restricted.
Separately and personally, I feel roaming goalkeepers are an unnatural construct - put an outfield shirt on Neil Morgan and a traditional goalie in the goal and call it quits.

Handing the ball back - some have said it's unnatural and is a bit much. Leave the ball on the ground instead - I donno - we could, but let's go for more respect - let's keep 'hand the ball back' - it will become natural very soon.
Respect for the referee is also unnatural, but IMO, that respect should be a minimum GAA standard (like in rugby) and HAS TO BE retained. I'm happy to see this 'zero tolerance' for referee abuse and the associated heavy penalties.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3068 - 06/02/2025 18:44:03    2589799

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Replying To omahant:  "I think you're right with tweaks to those two - although IMO, any changes won't happen (and shouldn't) until the Championship to keep the integrity of both competitions. That's the fairest, I suppose.

I think '3 up/ 'any 4' back minimum is the best remedy to having a max 11v11 in attack. It would have wide support - you and I like it - and 'liberal' goalkeepers would not feel restricted.
Separately and personally, I feel roaming goalkeepers are an unnatural construct - put an outfield shirt on Neil Morgan and a traditional goalie in the goal and call it quits.

Handing the ball back - some have said it's unnatural and is a bit much. Leave the ball on the ground instead - I donno - we could, but let's go for more respect - let's keep 'hand the ball back' - it will become natural very soon.
Respect for the referee is also unnatural, but IMO, that respect should be a minimum GAA standard (like in rugby) and HAS TO BE retained. I'm happy to see this 'zero tolerance' for referee abuse and the associated heavy penalties."
AFAIK tweaks can be permitted during the league. If a clear improvement is needed on the 12 v 11 and handing the ball back. Changing after Round 5 will allow for rounds 6 and 7 for adjusting to any tweaks.
3 up and 4 back seems a fair adjustment. Placing the ball on the ground seems a fair adjustment as well.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8514 - 07/02/2025 01:24:27    2589833

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3 things I'd like to see changed.
1) The keeper is not allowed to leave the large rectangle unless it's to compete for a ball
2) A free cannot be brought back out beyond the 40-meter arc for 2 points
3) The ball must be left dead on the ground from where a free was given instead of handing it back

Yvrjd (Galway) - Posts: 6 - 07/02/2025 10:26:08    2589851

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Replying To Yvrjd:  "3 things I'd like to see changed.
1) The keeper is not allowed to leave the large rectangle unless it's to compete for a ball
2) A free cannot be brought back out beyond the 40-meter arc for 2 points
3) The ball must be left dead on the ground from where a free was given instead of handing it back"
Re 3
Make it hand over or leave on the ground.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2071 - 07/02/2025 11:12:25    2589861

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An interesting thing happened during the first half of the Louth v Roscommon game last Sunday. As the Louth player was lining up a free kick well into the Roscommon half, the third Louth forward marginally crossed the half way line to give advice to another player, which the linesman did not spot at the time. This is obviously breaking the rules when the match is still in play. When a Roscommon supporter on the grass bank let out a roar of "hop ball ref" to some laughter, the player immediately returned back into the Roscommon half. Could somebody who knows the rules answer which of the following is the correct answer if the linesman had spotted this minor mistake:

(a) The Louth free takes precedence and the Louth free is taken.
(b) A hop ball is given where the Louth free had been awarded.
(c) The ref brings back the ball 50 yards from where Louth had been awarded the free and gives a free to Roscommon.
(d) The ref overturns the Louth free and awards Roscommon a free 50 yards up from the half way line where the Roscommon kicker can score 1 point. (Possibly a 2 or 3 point turnaround)
(e) The same as d except the Roscommon free taker brings the ball outside the arc and goes for a two point free kick. (Possible 3 of 4 point turnaround)

Not trying to be smart with this question but genuinely interested in the correct answer.

PS. Really had a great day out last Sunday with many Louth and Roscommon supporters. I found the Louth supporters to be very fair minded and generally not biased as also shown on the Louth thread since the match. Hope we meet up again in Croke Park for the division 2 final. (Possibly)

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 667 - 07/02/2025 11:55:16    2589868

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Replying To letsgetgoing:  "An interesting thing happened during the first half of the Louth v Roscommon game last Sunday. As the Louth player was lining up a free kick well into the Roscommon half, the third Louth forward marginally crossed the half way line to give advice to another player, which the linesman did not spot at the time. This is obviously breaking the rules when the match is still in play. When a Roscommon supporter on the grass bank let out a roar of "hop ball ref" to some laughter, the player immediately returned back into the Roscommon half. Could somebody who knows the rules answer which of the following is the correct answer if the linesman had spotted this minor mistake:

(a) The Louth free takes precedence and the Louth free is taken.
(b) A hop ball is given where the Louth free had been awarded.
(c) The ref brings back the ball 50 yards from where Louth had been awarded the free and gives a free to Roscommon.
(d) The ref overturns the Louth free and awards Roscommon a free 50 yards up from the half way line where the Roscommon kicker can score 1 point. (Possibly a 2 or 3 point turnaround)
(e) The same as d except the Roscommon free taker brings the ball outside the arc and goes for a two point free kick. (Possible 3 of 4 point turnaround)

Not trying to be smart with this question but genuinely interested in the correct answer.

PS. Really had a great day out last Sunday with many Louth and Roscommon supporters. I found the Louth supporters to be very fair minded and generally not biased as also shown on the Louth thread since the match. Hope we meet up again in Croke Park for the division 2 final. (Possibly)"
I'm not an expert on the rules but I was speaking with a referee during the week and we were discussing this.
The interpretation we came up with was. If the ball was not in play then there was no infringement. i.e. and so long as the player returned to the correct half before the referee blew for the free to be taken then there would be no sanction. If the Louth player was in the wrong half and the ball was in play then a free should be awarded to Roscommon on the Louth 20 m line with the option of taking it outside the arc for a 2 point shot.

bystanderbill (Wexford) - Posts: 52 - 07/02/2025 14:24:32    2589902

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Jim McGuinness reckons it's 'almost impossible to defend' under new rules. "It is one-v-one combat in the attacking half, plus the goalkeeper."
One v one contests is supposed to be the intention. The 12v11 unfair advantage has to see some tweak in the coming weeks.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8514 - 09/02/2025 01:34:39    2590167

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Replying To letsgetgoing:  "An interesting thing happened during the first half of the Louth v Roscommon game last Sunday. As the Louth player was lining up a free kick well into the Roscommon half, the third Louth forward marginally crossed the half way line to give advice to another player, which the linesman did not spot at the time. This is obviously breaking the rules when the match is still in play. When a Roscommon supporter on the grass bank let out a roar of "hop ball ref" to some laughter, the player immediately returned back into the Roscommon half. Could somebody who knows the rules answer which of the following is the correct answer if the linesman had spotted this minor mistake:

(a) The Louth free takes precedence and the Louth free is taken.
(b) A hop ball is given where the Louth free had been awarded.
(c) The ref brings back the ball 50 yards from where Louth had been awarded the free and gives a free to Roscommon.
(d) The ref overturns the Louth free and awards Roscommon a free 50 yards up from the half way line where the Roscommon kicker can score 1 point. (Possibly a 2 or 3 point turnaround)
(e) The same as d except the Roscommon free taker brings the ball outside the arc and goes for a two point free kick. (Possible 3 of 4 point turnaround)

Not trying to be smart with this question but genuinely interested in the correct answer.

PS. Really had a great day out last Sunday with many Louth and Roscommon supporters. I found the Louth supporters to be very fair minded and generally not biased as also shown on the Louth thread since the match. Hope we meet up again in Croke Park for the division 2 final. (Possibly)"
Something similar happened in the Carlow Waterford match last weekend. It happened when a player was injured and play was stopped but only very briefly and as one 'forward' player checked on his injured team mate there were roars from some he had crossed halfway to do so leaving only two up …. but of course the ball was not in play at that precise moment so common sense applied. But it was backing a second of two later and did get some of us talking and wondering as it won't always be as clear cut especially for substitutions and injuries when play often restarts when a sub is just barely running on and might technically be in the wrong half etc.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1465 - 09/02/2025 13:04:53    2590225

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I see Louth have a severe shortage of referees. I've heard rumblings that wexford are facing something similar and have failed to recruit a single new referee this year and a number of existing referees are opting out of refereeing football under the new rules. Are we on the verge of a refereeing crisis across the country as a result of these rules?

bystanderbill (Wexford) - Posts: 52 - 14/02/2025 08:59:26    2590923

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