Football could benefit from ‘Rules’ influence
Deegan sees merit in handpass and tackle regulations
GAELIC football could benefit from various aspects of the International Rules model, including the tackle, restricting the handpass and linking referees’ microphones to broadcasting and other devices in order to give the public a better understanding of decisions.
Referee Maurice Deegan, who officiated at the two recent Ireland-Australia International Rules Tests in Adelaide and Perth, believes that an analysis of the mixed game shows that it has potentially positive spin-offs for football.
However, that does not include two referees, even if he did enjoy sharing duties with Australia’s Matt Stevic.
“Don’t get me wrong. It worked really well. We communicated all the time and covered each other when one of us went forward with a move or whatever but I don’t think two referees are needed in football.
“It’s not as fast as International Rules where the ball can go from one of end of the pitch to the other in a matter of seconds. Two referees might be better suited to hurling than football, where the point of play can change so quickly,” said Deegan.
RESTRICTION
Limiting the number of handpasses allowed has, in recent years, been suggested as a means of making Gaelic football more attractive but drew criticism from opponents who argue that it would add to the referee’s workload. That, in turn, could lead to more mistakes.
Deegan (below) disagrees, citing the International Rules game, where the ball must be kicked after six handpasses, as an example of how the restriction works well.
“I had no problem at all counting the handpasses. They all happen in a small enough area so it’s not difficult to keep track. I wouldn’t see that as a barrier to limiting handpassing in football if that’s what we wanted.
“If a limit on handpassing were brought into our game, I doubt if it would be as high as six so it would be even easier to count than in International Rules. It would certainly speed up the game,” said Deegan, who refereed the 2009-’12-’16 All-Ireland senior finals.
He also likes the international Rules tackle, which allows a player to be grabbed above the thighs and below the shoulders. Failing to release the ball after being tackled is an offence.
“That tackle is so simple to decide on. There’s no room for grey areas and no disputes over interpretation, unlike what happens in football. There’s nothing vague about it.
“Players, referees and spectators know exactly what’s involved. I can’t see it coming into our game any time soon but it has a lot going for it,” said Deegan (right).
He also liked being miked for the International Rules game so that decisions – and the reasons for them – were relayed on TV.
“If people hear what a referee is saying to players – and indeed what they’re saying to him – it gives a better understanding of what’s going on.
“A referee can make a decision for a perfectly good reason because he’s close to the action but it might look wrong on TV but the public won’t know why he made the call.
“If his mic was linked up, everyone would know exactly why he made a particular decision. It works well in rugby and could work in our game too,” said Deegan.
Despite his positive experience in International Rules, it’s interesting that he sees no need for a second referee in Gaelic football, where the workload is increasing all the time.
Research this year showed that a football referee ran an average of 9.8kms (6.1 miles) in championship games. In one game, a referee ran 11.7 kilometres.
The movement breakdown was as follows: Walking: 25 per cent; Jogging: 27 per cent; Low intensity running: 21 per cent; Moderate intensity running: 17 per cent: High intensity running: 10 per cent.
The top maximum speed was 28.3 kilometres per hour while the average was 24. The average number of sprints per game was 40, with a maximum of 90.
Former Roscommon star and International Rules manager Paul Earley is a long-time advocate of a second referee, arguing that it’s unreasonable to ask one person to officiate in such a fast-moving game on a three-acre pitch.
“The dynamic of the modern game makes it impossible for one referee to get it right all the time.
“Soccer and rugby are fine with one referee but they are played on much smaller pitches than football and also have an offside rule, which means more breaks in play.
“And, by its nature, rugby allows the referee to be alongside the play much of the time,” said Earley, who also served as a member of the Football Review Committee that introduced the black card.
Deegan wouldn’t be averse to having a second referee but, despite the International Rules experience, sees no particular need for it.