LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Dub boss wants rule changes from LGFA
DOUBLE All-ireland winning manager Mick Bohan sees rule changes down the line as the ladies’ game gets more physical.
The Dublin boss thinks the ladies’ game needed a free flowing spectacle in the All-ireland final after the stop-start Allireland camogie final the previous week.
A record 50,141 were there to see Dublin finally defeat Cork in the Allireland decider at the fourth attempt, a crowd that could well be the biggest attended female sporting event in the world this year.
Bohan praised the influence of match referee Garryowen Mcmahon.
“He had to let more go because both teams went at it. We also feel because of the camogie last Sunday, because the game was riddled with frees there was a little bit of pressure on him to let the game go,” said Bohane. “It was a better spectacle as a result.
“Realistically if the rules of the game were adhered to... that’s not the way it was refereed yesterday.
“And I’m not saying anything against him, if I was in that situation I’d probably have done the same as he did. He had to let it go because of the ferocity of the battle.
“Our feeling is there should be a bit more physicality involved, it’s a better spectacle. They’re able for it, they’re conditioned for it, they want it.
“At times it’s frustrating, particularly in the tackle when it’s just pulled even though it’s a good tackle. But because you are not allowed make contact with the ball when it’s in somebody’ hands which is the rule, it just doesn’t make sense.”
Speaking during the team’s visit to Temple Street Children’s Hospital yesterday, Bohan admitted he was blown away by the occasion and leading his side to back-toback All-irelands. But he also called for a change of rules to avoid injuries when they pick the ball directly off the ground. “We’re obviously very proud of our group today,” said Bohan.
“Going into that cauldron the atmosphere is magnificent when you hear that amount of noise in there, but I think anyone who came yesterday got their value because there was fantastic entertainment.
“I remember years ago I was involved with the lads and people said to me the pick up should be taken out of the men’s game.
“I would say to you the only dangerous thing in the women’s game is the pick up because they are able to run through the ball without stopping and pick it up.
“We have seen over my last 18 or 19 months involved a number of head collisions because of that,” added Bohan.
“No other part of the game is dangerous.”
LADIES
GFA
RULES THE TACKLE:
1. A player holding the ball into her body cannot be legally dispossessed.
Any attempt to do so will result in a free for her and her team.
2. When making a tackle to dispossess a player of the ball, it must be timed when the player in possession is soloing, bouncing, kicking or passing the ball. The ball must be knocked from the opponents hand by flicking it with the open hand or hands.