GPA: We’re being dealt unfair hand
THE GAA is facing a showdown with the GPA this week as player opposition to experimental rule changes in Gaelic football continues to grow.
GPA CEO Paul Flynn wrote to Croke Park yesterday demanding ‘urgent’ talks with association chiefs this week and stressing opposition to the imposition of a raft of rule changes in the upcoming Allianz League.
Flynn’s letter came after almost uniform criticism from inter-county players on social media opposing the rule changes which were given the green light for trial at Saturday’s Central Council meeting.
Delegates agreed at the weekend to introduce a sinbin for black cards, for all kick-outs to be taken from the 20-metre line, sideline frees to be kicked forward, an offensive mark and a three-pass cap on handpasses.
However, with positions hardening among players, Flynn is understood to have signalled to Croke Park that the GPA want some of the proposed rule changes to be abandoned.
It is understood that the GPA delegate, Seamus Hickey, flagged concerns about a number of the proposed rule changes at Saturday’s meeting, in particular the restriction of the handpass which over 80 per cent of respondents opposed in a GPA poll.
Flynn is also reported to be seeking to have the trials limited to pre-season competitions — beginning with the O’Byrne Cup next month – arguing that introducing wholesale rule changes amounts to an undermining of the Allianz Football League.
The GPA is also expected to argue that the scope of the rule changes is unfair on players, who will effectively have to prepare for two different sets of rules in the New Year, as the experimental rules will not be in play for next summer’s Championship.
GAA president John Horan is expected to address the prospect of a player rebellion at a press conference in Croke Park today, which has initially been called to brief the media on the experimental rule changes.
However, Horan signalled yesterday his determination that the GAA would proceed with the trialling of the rule changes, and in particular with the contentious cap on consecutive handpasses.
‘I know some managers and players have come out very negatively about the proposals made by our standing playing rules committee but we have a responsibility as administrators to make sure the game is entertaining.
‘I can understand managers going out on the pitch, they don’t want to be giving the ball away easily and they want to get productivity out of it but it is Gaelic football. Really, in a lot of ways, it’s becoming Gaelic handball because the ratio of hand passes, it’s about 3:1 now and that’s not really healthy or enjoyable.
‘It’s a trial period, it’s not something that’s going to be set in stone. We will look at it and we’ll be careful in considering the outcome of those changes,’ said Horan.