New rules putting added pressure on men in middle

LAST WEEKEND was the official start of the new adult G.A.A. season in Wexford, with a full programme of football games taking part in all grades across the county. It was a chance for players, mentors, coaches and supporters to gauge what lies ahead for the rest of the year.

Will the young lads coming through be able for the rigours of adult football?

Will the older players have the appetite for another year that could be the special one they are waiting for for so long?

Is this new trainer any good, and what about his selectors, have they got a clue on the line?

These are just some of the printable questions from a clubperson’s viewpoint.

Perhaps the most uncertain year ahead lies in wait for referees, especially in football games.

Last weekend was my first official competitive adult game using the new rules.

After weeks of confusion amongst the refereeing fraternity, we finally have a clear set of new rules to implement, I think!

Thankfully on Saturday I had two teams, St. Anne’s and Crossabeg-Ballymurn, who wanted to play football and did not engage in any moaning or complaining about decisions; well, no more than is normal anyway.

I spoke to each team before the game to explain the new rules and admitted that I would more than likely make some mistakes in their implementation, but I would rectify it once I realised it.

You won’t find this edict anywhere in the rule book, and you might find it hard to believe that referees make mistakes (sic), but when they do it is in the interest of fair play that they should be strong enough to admit it and correct it.

As a result, the old saying that a referee never changes his mind could be history!

From a referee’s point of view, trying to implement the new rules is a bit frustrating.

We are already overloaded with instructions, infractions, confusions and delusions.

Players are getting fitter and more mobile. Most referees are at least double and even three times the age of the players.

At this time of year, the markings on pitches are easily washed away and the grass is longer, covering the markings.

So now when a player is kicking the ball the referee has to watch where he is kicking from for the mark purposes, keep an eye to see if he is hit late by an opponent, check did the ball travel 20m (easy enough), was the receiver inside the ’45 (not easy for the previous reasons), check for a foul by a back or forward in order to get possession, and finally did the player indicate a mark?

All this in two or three seconds. I think the advanced mark is a bit of a farce. Should a forward or a defender be rewarded for demonstrating a skill that is part of football?

In my opinion there are too many rules in Gaelic football, and introducing new ones is putting added pressure on referees. Currently the respect levels for the men in black (or yellow, or blue, or green) are at an all-time low.

I know you need to earn respect, but a culture of complaining and dissent is rife amongst players. Part of the problem is that players, mentors and supporters do not understand all the rules.

Take for example the black card foul - how many people know the five fouls that earn one?

Every time there is a transgression now you hear the call for a black card.

If players think it is frustrating, you should be on the receiving end. At a time when the G.A.A. is trying to attract referees with a younger age profile, I would like to wish them the best of luck with that.

If anyone asked me should they start, I’d say wait until the end of this year and then ask me again.