FRESH CRITICISM of the GAA’s yellow card rules regarding their application to hurling has been categorically dismissed by Liam O’Neill, the chairman of the disciplinary task force responsible for implementing the new rules, albeit on an experimental basis.
Sunday’s round of pre-season hurling competitions saw several of the stronger counties play for the first time this year, including Galway and Offaly, who met in the Walsh Cup quarter-final in Tullamore. Although Galway came away with the win, manager John McIntyre didn’t hold back in his criticism of the new rules, despite having only one player yellow-carded.
“I don’t blame the referee,” said McIntyre. “I blame the legislators. There’s people up in Croke Park trying to justify their existence coming up with these rules.
“(Our) guys are working like dogs on the training ground. They put a foot out of place or a hurl out of place and are forced to watch the rest of the match through no fault of their own. Hurling should not be penalised for football’s problems.”
Yet, O’Neill was adamant there was no unfair differentiation between hurling and football when it came to designing the rules.
“What about the foul that says careless use of the hurl?” he asked. “That wasn’t designed for football. And there are only four other playing offences. There is the trip, with hand or hurl. Do we want to allow that in hurling, but not football? There is also running into the player after he has played the ball. That happens in hurling as well as football.
“Then there is the arm or hurl around the neck of the opponent, and dragging him to the ground. Surely that shouldn’t be allowed in the hurling? And finally there is pulling down an opponent. After that, the only other yellow card offences are lying down on the ground and wrestling, and also remonstrating with the referee. Don’t tell me they don’t happen in hurling as well.
“So I’m not sure what the problem with the hurling managers is. Some of them might think that pulling a jersey is only a small thing. But if someone is going for the ball, particularly in hurling, it could be the difference between the ball going past you, or getting it skilfully away from you.
“Maybe John McIntyre had a problem because the rules impinged on his team on Sunday. But this was his first game, and perhaps his players will be careful about making that mistake again, unless they’re slow learners.
“The other point is that this is not about one manager, and his team. It’s about everyone in the game, down at under-12 and under-13. Players need to be protected at that age too, and we had to develop a set a rules that could be implemented across the board.”
Also in the Galway-Offaly game, Offaly lost two full backs to yellow cards: David Kenny, for two tickings, with his replacement, Ger Oakley, for a trip before half-time – and that prompted some equally critical comments from manager Joe Dooley.
“They’re a joke. I’d say they’re designed for football. To lose Ger Oakley and David Kenny without even a bad stroke? It ruined the game for spectators, people who pay good money to come in here today and see that going on.”
O’Neill, however, pointed to further evidence that the rules were not only having their desired effect but that players were becoming more accustomed to them. In three weeks of football, the average number of yellow cards per game has fallen from 3.5 to 1.59, and in hurling it’s still less then two (see panel).
“We’ve also met the referees last week and will again this weekend,” he added, “and will again before the league starts at the end of the month. We’re not interested in telling them what to do. We’ve asked them to categorise the fouls. We’re trying to get some consistency by giving the referees the framework within which they can make decisions on fouls.
“The other point is that the referee can’t give a yellow card for any offence other than the seven we have stipulated. So we’re not being draconian on this. We’re not trying to take players out.
“And look, we’ve almost eliminated the body collide in three weekends of football. I’ve had members of the public coming up to me saying ‘thanks for doing this’, that fouls are down, dramatically, and the football has become more enjoyable.
“So the experiment is already worthwhile if players are thinking more now about their tackles. And beginning to realise the consequences. Already managers have had to explain to players about the rules, and coach them not to foul.
“And already the decision-making ability of referees is improving exponentially with each week these rules have been in place. And that’s going to be of huge benefit.”
