As the Football Review Committee’s proposed changes debuted on Friday night, the scene bore a striking resemblance to an experiment from the past. It felt akin to observing children learning to read – players cautiously negotiating the new three-on-three structure, with referees offering guidance, as exemplified by David Coldrick’s performance during the Allianz interprovincial final on Saturday. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the now obsolete International Rules project, a sporadically held event that introduced players to unfamiliar rules.
The latter represented a unique spectator experience, with the faster pace and tackling component discouraging long-held possessions. However, the recent modifications known as “the enhanced rules”, following the success of their initial four games, are aiming to become a regular feature in the coming year’s national league, marking a significant difference.
Suggestions emerged over the weekend of possibly reconsidering the curiously ill-timed suspension of the preseason tournaments to allow for extended gameplay and adaptation for players, a notion which the FRC holds reservations about. FRC’s member, Colm Collins, highlighted on Friday that players had to overcome a decade’s worth of ingrained habits to adjust to these new rules, implying a need for more time for complete acclimation.
Data from the four matches will be analysed by Jim Gavin’s committee. Yet, definite patterns are already detectable. Enthused about the steady improvement since Friday’s unbalanced match between Connacht and Leinster, James Horan, another FRC member, revealed that the games were gradually improving, with reduced turnovers and increased shots per attack.
The stage is primed for an important meeting in six weeks, provided it gets the green light from the Central Council. Rule modifications will be scrutinised individually by delegates, despite the FRC’s keenness for them to be viewed collectively.
1. One-on-one throw-in
This method seemed effective in fulfilling its intended role of managing the scramble of four midfielders vying for the ball. The anticipated ‘chance to promptly attack’ occasionally manifested in throwing the ball forward for more competition — still, it offered a more organised, animated display.
2. Kick-offs
It’s undeniable that the compulsory crossing of the 40-metre arc introduced more struggles for ownership – an increase of 50 per cent over the competition’s average, reports James Horan. But there was a considerable backlash, particularly from Ulster. Tyrone’s goalkeeper Niall Morgan brought up the relevant problem of strong winds turning kick-offs into ‘booting matches,’ devaluing rather than developing the skills at play. This perspective is crucial in the cultural clash between competition and control, with the consensus solidifying against the issues arising from excessive management.
3. Restrictions imposed on goalkeepers
The main limitation applies to defence, whereby a goalkeeper can only accept a pass from a teammate within the large square. This rule succeeded in eliminating the ‘keeper’s participation in tedious bouts of keep ball when teams shift from the rear.
Permitting passes within the opponent’s half also made a significant difference. Morgan was awarded Man of the Match on Friday evening courtesy of his versatile gameplay, including offensive intrusions. The FRC’s stance is that although a ‘keeper’s involvement in defensive team play has increasingly become an issue, contributions further upfield add to the match’s thrill. Morgan epitomised this by displaying his long-distance shooting prowess for two-pointers.
This forward licence has been criticised for engendering a 12 v 11 surplus. The FRC counters this by explaining that an attacking team’s goalkeeper risks being stuck upfield. In the finale, Morgan was penalised for overholding, and had Connacht not been managing their time, his absence could have been problematic.
4. 40-metre arc and scoring system.
With Connacht’s domination over Leinster last Friday night, the spotlight was brought onto the issue of unnecessary scoring. Vexed voices from the likes of Aidan O’Shea and manager Pádraic Joyce criticised current scoring regulations. Questions were raised over the validity of earning two points from a 40-metre kick but only one from a 39-metre effort.
The four-point goal caused an early end to the match too. A fear prevailed that it could lead to one-sided massacre games. However, this is usually caused due to unequal competitiveness, particularly observed in provincial championships.
Football, which now has only introduced a second tier, unlike hurling that has five championship levels, was compared by one FRC member. Yet, this is not what the Committee is supposed to rectify. Moreover, the two-point reward for 40-metre kicks was brought in to challenge defenders, making them decide between guarding the 40-metre arc or staying nearer the goal.
Despite misunderstanding the tactic, Leinster corrected their approach the following day. However, there may be thoughts to review the advantage of awarding two points for a 45-metre free kick, as it might be more profitable to the defending side than skillful tackling or blocking that results in a 45; yet it is believed that the new rule will remain for free kicks to avoid encouraging fouling skillful kickers like Rian O’Neill on the 40-metre line.
The 3/3 formation was considered a triumphant strategy for the game weekend. Initially, discipline was tested as one of the players was tempted to meander from the halfway line, earning a consequential 20-metre free kick. This penalty turned into a strong deterrent by the second day.
Additionally, the need to keep three up front created more spaces and provided more options in maintaining possession. The drive to use kick pass was observed to be executed effectively. Inside forwards got more freedom resulting in robust performances, notably Adrian Spillane, whose continuous forward requirement yielded an impressive nine-point return.
Colm Collins made it known that although hand passing persisted, it would likely be altered as the rules became firmly established. The controversial issue around the hand pass is currently being tackled by adapting the game’s environment to decrease its common prevalence.
6. Immediate Attack
Implementation of this strategy was effortless, with players often choosing to go on the offence straight after a free, forego the kick option. This greatly enhanced the dynamism and speed of the game. It’s noteworthy that this meant a significant increase in the demands placed on players, particularly the 11 on defence who had to run more.
To counteract this, games over the weekend were divided into four parts, allowing for interchange or continuous substitutions. The 35-minute halves league games and specified replacements could require further scrutiny.
7. Forward Mark
Despite being beneficial for the catcher, if a clean catch is achieved within the 20-metre line from a pass kicked from the 45-metre line, it wasn’t particularly noticeable over the weekend. The player can confront the defender and if unsuccessful, backtrack to the mark where the ball was caught.
“Eamonn Fitzmaurice, a member of the FRC, observed during his RTÉ commentary that this was a challenging feat to pull off.”
Discipline
The numerous frees were advanced to the 20-metre line or the 50-metre penalty for unsporting behaviour and defiance, proving highly effective. By the end of the final match on Saturday, players were even passing the ball to opponents for free kicks.
There were grumbles about the penalties being too severe, but Jim Gavin’s point that it’s an effective way to enforce attentiveness seems valid.