Do we really need to change the rules of gaelic football as well as hurling? This is the question that many gaels throughout the country have been asking themselves these past few months. Are our games really in such dire straits? My own opinion is that the rules as they stood were not the problem but it was the inconsistency in implementing them that was giving the cause for concern. In Ulster the conspiracy theorists are in no doubt as to why we have been subjected to these new rules - the manner of Tyrone and Armagh's All Ireland success did not exactly meet with universal approval. Surely the GAA couldn't continue to sit idly by and watch the growth and development of this 'puke' football - something must be done - change the rules! Whether this view is accurate or not it does appear that these rules have been brought upon us with much haste. Whilst I am certainly in favour of improving the standard of play I have severe reservations regarding the new proposals. The concept of speeding up the game and making it more free flowing is to be applauded but surely there are better ways of doing this. From a players perspective the most infuriating change appears to be the 'one yellow card and you're off' scenario. Initially for the pre-league competitions it was the sin bin for someone receiving a yellow card but now one yellow card and you are off. It is quite possible that this will inhibit the persistent fouls a player may make but it will also invariably diminish the physical aspect that is part and parcel of our game. Players are now going to be hesitant when making any sort of 50/50 challenge knowing that if they mis-time the tackle they could spend the rest of the match keeping the bench warm. In the NFL we have already seen examples of players genuinely going for the ball but committing a foul and then being sent to the line wondering what for. It's not often I get the chance to agree with too many Derry men but the comments made by Anthony Tohill after Round 2 of the league were both accurate and representative of how the majority of players feel. In his role as analyst for RTE Anthony strongly recommended that the new rules be abolished and that GAA supporters will not put up with going to matches only to see the finest exponents of the game sitting on the bench. He was of course referring to the sending off of Dublin's Ciaran Whelan, Kerry's Tomas O Se and Galway's Ciaran Fitzgerald. Those who believe that these new rules will suddenly reduce the forms of negativity and result in a new brand of expansive football are living in another planet. Players will be coached to adapt and if anything, the new initiatives will result in more teams using the so called blanket defence. This assumption is based on the following (1) a player who checks or impedes the run of an opponent after he plays the ball will be ticked or yellow carded. This will result in players being coached to chase back immediately after the ball is played over their heads so as to stay with the runner and help out the defence. (2)Players will not risk making strong one-to-one tackles for fear of being ticked. Those already on a tick will definitely filter back and defend in numbers rather than risk a sending off. Another contradiction in the new rules is the matter regarding the use of the tee. As previously mentioned, an overriding concept of the new rules is to speed up the game - yet a goalkeeper will have to run around to locate the tee, then set the ball on it before he can hit a quick kick-out. If he kicks the ball out without using the tee then he is ticked and if he does this again he is sent off. I wonder how many goalkeepers would actually use the tee at all if they were given a choice - surely it would have been more practical to have made the use of the tee optional! In a previous column for Hogan Stand Kevin McStay asked the question 'Who in the name of God was on the New Rules committee?' A small number of players were actually invited onto the task force committee to discuss what new rules if any should be implemented for the pre-league competitions, O'Byrne Cup etc. Tyrone captain Brian Dooher was one of those invited and along with Sligo's Paul Durcan they were the only two players present at the initial task force meeting. A number of rule changes were discussed at this meeting and a second meeting was needed to finalise them. Brain himself was not able to attend the subsequent meeting but he made his feelings known in no uncertain terms in writing. He made it clear that he was not in favour of the rule changes. He did recommend the use of the tee but only if it was optional for the goalkeeper. Dessie Farrell and Kieran Mc Geeney were also invited onto the task force. Like Dooher, Dessie was only able to attend one meeting and Kieran was abroad and could not attend any. So for those who suggested that the new rules had player backing or indeed wholesale player involvement, are way off the mark. It is a shame that the GAA don't use the obvious mechanism when gauging player opinion and consult with the GPA. To date the new rules appear to have taken quite a bashing be it from players, managers or supporters. Whilst voicing my disapproval I must say I am not against experimentation but it must not be to the detriment of our game. Indeed I look forward to the day when the average free count for a game of Gaelic football is below twenty. So is there another way to improve the fluidity and quality of our game? A reduction in the number of players on the field of play would certainly help to alleviate some of the problem areas. With the standard of fitness at an all-time high then 13-a-side would not be asking too much from our players. This may help eradicate the trend of bunching around the middle and it would certainly benefit the faster, more skilful player. The fact that there is much greater space available may also result in more kick passing, thus making it harder to implement a blanket defence. With fewer players on the pitch, the job of the referee and his officials should be made much easier. Added to this, I believe that with 13-a-side a team really will be punished if they are depleted by sendings off. As it currently stands, a team with a man sent off often has no difficulty in coping - how often have you seen the team with a man short come out on top? The advantages of 13-a-side don't just stop with the county team - for a lot of clubs would surely welcome this idea and underage games would follow likewise. This debate is not over yet. Finally I wish to congratulate Tyrone clubs Pomeroy and Stewartstown on reaching the All-Ireland club Intermediate and Junior finals. At the time of writing the venue has not been decided. However, at a time when so much debate is taking place about the merits of soccer and rugby being played in Croke Park, I sincerely hope the authorities do not neglect the needs of their own members by failing to play these All-Ireland finals in the stadium they helped to create. Rule 42 - well that's a matter for another day! Tweet

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