‘No point changing the rules if you don’t change the attitude of the coaches’
THE MANAGER TONY McENTEE
(Sligo)
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE GAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I don’t think it comes down to rules but to how managers and coaches apply the rules as they exist.
I just think there is an over-emphasis on focusing on how to stop the opposition scoring rather than on teams having the conviction to go out, be brave and create opportunities and play football.
The reality is that every team has the capability of going out and playing good football, and not just the top teams. Ultimately, there is no point talking about changing the rules if the attitude of those coaching within those rules do not change.
ANY OTHER RULE CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE?
I really don’t like the advance or defensive mark. I don’t know if anyone wants them there. It disrupts the flow of the game, it is not in keeping with how the sport is supposed to be played and I can’t see any reason why that rule is still there given how little support it enjoys.
SHOULD THERE BE A COUNTY-CLUB SPLIT WITH RULE CHANGES?
No. I think the rules that come in have to be adaptable across the board at inter-county and club levels.
I don’t see us having a different product at county level than at club level.
I don’t buy either into the idea that having a more attractive game at inter-county level will impact the club game, if anything the game is even more defensive at club level.
THE ADMINISTRATOR PAT O’SULLIVAN
(Kerry chairman)
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE GAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would get rid of the advance and defensive marks. They are trying to make a hybrid Australian game out of our game and all that is doing is attracting AFL scouts.
ANY OTHER RULE CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE?
There is a need for two referees. When you look at the All-Ireland final, David Clifford was awarded a free and an umpire overturned it. The bottom line here is that a referee can’t see everything. You need two referees to referee at inter-county level.
SHOULD THERE BE A COUNTY-CLUB SPLIT WITH RULE CHANGES?
Possibly. The pace of the inter-county game is at a completely different level so you are effectively talking about two different games.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE GAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would get rid of the advance/defensive mark. From a referee’s perspective it is very challenging, you have to judge if the ball has been kicked from outside or inside the 45-metre line, has it travelled the required 20 metres, has the player called for a mark, and it is hard to see what it brings.
ANY OTHER RULE CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE?
I would be interested in seeing how a shot clock would work. While it is an extra rule for a referee to police, it would have one positive benefit for referees accused at the end of games of allowing the team in possession extra time to get a score.
SHOULD THERE BE A COUNTY-CLUB SPLIT WITH RULE CHANGES?
It has to be universal. I know people will say that it would be difficult to introduce a rule such as a shot clock at club level but football can hardly go to a place where it effectively has different games.
THE FORMER PLAYER MARC Ó SÉ
(Kerry)
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE GAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The dynamic between players and referees would improve so much in big games if referees were miked up. I also believe it would lead to better officiating. It would become the default position for referees to explain their decisions, and players would be far more accepting.
ANY OTHER RULE CHANGES YOU WOULD LIKE?
Get rid of the advance mark. Speaking through the eyes of a former defender, I detest it. It implies that there is no skill to defending when you introduce a rule that simply gives a free shot at the posts for receiving a pass. When we attended corner-back school, the first lesson we were taught was that your defending started when your opponent got the ball.
SHOULD THERE BE A COUNTY-CLUB SPLIT WITH RULE CHANGES?
I don’t think that it is practical to apply rules across the board. But the clubs should not be used as an excuse for not making positive rule changes at an elite level. Good habits can filter down; for example, club refs watching county referees explain their decisions would have a very positive influence on grassroots level.