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Irish Times
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
A mind-changer in the post-puke-football era: what it was like playing in the FRC's sandbox game
After an incredibly successful first year under the new rules, the Football Review Committee (FRC) headed back to the laboratory for further tests last Wednesday night. A 'sandbox' game was hosted between Dublin Senior 2 sides Fingallians and Round Towers Clondalkin in Abbotstown, to trial a few extra rules that hadn't made the cutline for the 2025 season. Heading out towards Blanchardstown though, there was a feeling that we, the players, were also on trial. Not only was the place, date and time of the match announced by FRC chairman Jim Gavin during the RTÉ broadcast of the All-Ireland final, but the chat in Towers' dressingroom was mostly around the bits and pieces posted on social media about the game, and whether a cadre of football nerds and journalists would descend upon the National Sports Campus. But the call was coming from inside the house. I was out there in both a professional and recreational capacity, having played for Towers since before I can remember, and certainly before I became a 'journo'. In any case, it turned out that there was a smattering of apparent neutrals in the stands, but before we got out on to the pitch, we were visited by Towers' most famous son, Gavin himself. READ MORE The rules of the match were set out to us. We were to begin with a 15-minute period, where goals would be worth four points and we would be unable to bring the ball back into our own half once we had crossed the halfway mark. The pitchside hooter would bring an immediate stop to the first quarter (rather than the play being allowed continue), and there would also be some alteration to the current kick out mark – although it wasn't clear to most of us what that was exactly. Jim Galvin explaining experimental rules to Round Towers players. Photograph: Alan Betson In any case, that wasn't much of a concern when we saw the Fingallians team, who appeared mostly to be well over 6ft tall. By the end of the first quarter, we were grateful that the hooter brought the game to an abrupt halt. A couple of four-point goals had hit the back of our net and we had already dug ourselves into a hole in this particular sandbox. Before the second quarter, Gavin came over to have a few words with us, and told us that it would begin with the scenario that we were six points up. Despite an improvement in the second period, we still conceded a four-pointer, which meant that we had lost the period by five. There were a few wry smiles when Jim came back to us at half-time with a cheery 'well done, you won that by a point'. The boosted goals had been very telling in the first half, as Fingallians went direct as often as they could. However, the game had also become unbalanced very quickly because of them. There was a couple of breaches of the halfway-line rule and both teams were able to press up farther because their opponents couldn't just turn and play it backwards. After the match, there was broad agreement that it was the most viable and positive of the sandboxed rules. After half-time came two evenly matched five-minute periods, where each side took a turn at playing a scenario where they were two points up to start. Then, for the final 20 minutes, another rule was introduced: a player receiving a hand pass would have to kick pass. In other words a team could not play two hand passes in a row. This led to more chaos, more verticality and more turnovers, and it was probably the most enjoyable part to play in. Round Towers players discuss adapting to experimental rules against Fingalians. Photograph: Alan Betson There were a few lapses on the rules throughout the game – lads passing into their own half, or playing one-twos through the hands in the final period. There were also some unusual decisions being made because of the different parameters, with more long balls being played, especially in the last 20. Having apparently become overwhelmed by the spirit of the game, I latched on to a loose pass and drove out of defence only to absolutely welly an awful pass into the full-forward line. I later managed to somewhat balance the books, cutting across the ball nicely to switch play after receiving a hand pass. It wasn't a defence splitter, but it did give pace to the attack on the far side, and it's exactly the sort of risky pass I would never play under the current rules. The increase in kicking in the final period had opened the game up, even if the rule itself wasn't perfect. When players did kick, they usually had the skills to execute their pass. But it was obvious that many of us simply don't get our heads up quickly enough, having been raised in the post-puke-football era. The FRC changes aren't just fixing a rules problem, they have to address the now ingrained safety-first culture in players. Those attitudes may actually prove harder to change than the rules.
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
‘If one girl gives up because of a skort, that's one too many': Dublin camogie team hope for change at Congress
The weather took a wintry turn on Tuesday night but as the Dublin camogie players trained under grey skies in Abbotstown, the hope among the group was that after the rain will blow the wind of change. Because while Tuesday's cloudburst was fleeting, the outcome of the Camogie Association's Special Congress on Thursday will leave a lasting imprint. It's stick or twist time. The skorts and shorts debate has been a topic of conversation in camogie circles for years but the recent protest initiated by the Dublin and Kilkenny teams has moved the dial in terms of the public discourse. Dublin's focus this week is on their All-Ireland championship opener against Galway but the reality is the outcome of Thursday's vote in Croke Park will be remembered long after the result of Saturday's game in Kenny Park has been forgotten. READ MORE 'We want every girl playing sport, if the barrier is wearing a skort it shouldn't be the case, it's a piece of clothing you wear, it's not the sport you play,' says Dublin defender Aoife Higgins. Dublin captain Aisling Maher has been at the forefront of the campaign. She'd prefer to be concentrating entirely on playing and leading the team, but this felt like a moment to stand up. 'We had a conversation as a team and every player unanimously agreed this was the right thing to do,' says Maher. 'I guess you don't think of yourself as an individual in those moments, we were doing it as a team and doing it as a representative decision of how we knew other teams felt. 'It's a funny one because as camogie players we have been wearing skorts for so long that you kind of forget how ridiculously archaic it is in a lot of ways. 'It's only when you take that step back and think about it from the perspective of the public that you realise we probably are lagging miles behind in not offering choice.' Members of the Dublin senior camogie team (from left) Aoife Higgins, Sinead Wylde and Aisling Maher arrive training at Abbotstown Sport Ireland campus last night. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien For Dublin manager Gerry McQuaid the challenge of keeping girls in sport is one he encounters daily because of his job as a PE teacher. 'I'm 30 years teaching physical education and it's usually around the age of 13-14-15 that girls start opting out with excuse note after excuse note,' he says. 'I would be of the opinion we should do whatever we can to keep girls involved in sport. And if this is a barrier, let's just get rid of it and move on.' Sinéad Wylde hopes the momentum of public sentiment resonates with delegates. 'Something as small as allowing players to have choice, that can take away a barrier,' says the Dublin forward. McQuaid, who was a talented runner and earned an athletics scholarship with Indiana State University, was involved with Wexford's management team for their three-in-a-row O'Duffy Cup success between 2010-12. '[The protest] hit a nerve with the public, you can see that,' says McQuaid. 'There is no other sport that I know of, elite or otherwise, where players train in something differently to what they compete in. 'I'm 15 years involved with camogie with a number of different teams and never once can I remember, somebody might correct me, but I can't remember seeing a girl wear a skort at training.' The prevailing message coming from the Dublin squad on Tuesday night was a desire to have a choice. 'If players want to wear a skort that's absolutely fine, it's about looking at the young girls coming behind us and standing up for them,' says Higgins. There is a sense this cause has galvanised the Dublin group. And there is pride at being one of the squads driving the campaign. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien For Maher, there is frustration the outcome rests solely with others. 'It is hard as a player that even still the choice of what I wear isn't in my hands, it's in the hands of delegates,' she adds. 'So I'd like to encourage delegates to remember that we are not looking to get rid of the skort, we are not looking to remove it from the game, it will remain an option.' There is a sense this cause has galvanised the Dublin group. And there is pride at being one of the squads driving the campaign, but Wylde believes failure to change the rule banning shorts could have implications. 'Unless the vote represents what the players have been asking for then there won't be a championship the way championships have gone in the past,' she says. 'Thursday will be the deciding factor whether all our work has come to fruition. On Friday I'll let you know if we are proud or not.' For McQuaid, the message is simple. 'I'm hoping delegates see sense and listen to their players because if you don't have players you don't have camogie games,' he says. 'If one girl gives up this sport because of a skort, that's one too many in my opinion.' Dublin played a challenge game last week and both sides wore shorts. Before training commences, we wonder if all the players will take to the field in shorts. 'For every player you see in a skort, I'll give you a tenner at the end of the session,' smiles Maher. We left with no more money than when we arrived. It is up to those delegates voting on Thursday now to determine if the cost of change makes the sport of camogie richer or poorer.
Irish Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Sport Ireland seeks planning permission for National Cricket Centre
Plans lodged by Sport Ireland for a new National Cricket Centre, including a spectator bowl, would generate a €93 million tourism dividend here over a five-year period, according to planning documents lodged with Fingal County Council During the same 2026 to 2030 period, the cricket stadium, which would have a permanent capacity of 4,240 and will be able to accommodate up to 12,000 spectators for the planned oval- would generate an additional €29 million through ticket sales and operational expenditure during the same period. Sport Ireland is also seeking permission for a high performance centre and supporting infrastructure at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown. . READ MORE A planning report drawn up by Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for Sport Ireland said that the proposed centre would 'provide Cricket Ireland (CI) with a permanent, world-class facility, within the home of Irish Sport'. An evaluation of the proposed stadium's economic impact carried out by EY showed that €39.9 million would be spent as a result of the 2030 T20 World Cup Cricket tournament. The EY findings also said that, based on an average year's operation, the centre would support 460 jobs per annum in the period 2026 to 2030. Overall, including the impact of the T20 Cricket World Cup in 2030, the net impact of the centre, would result in 1,555 jobs. The planning report said that a once-off capacity of 20,000 would be required for the T20 Men's Cricket World Cup in 2030 and, as it is a once-off event, would likely be the subject of an events license closer to the time of that event. A report lodged with the application states the Irish economy would benefit from co-hosting the world cup in 2030 where the centre will host a maximum of eight matches, with the remaining matches to be played in Malahide or Stormont. Planning documents lodged show that the proposed development is likely to generate approximately 200 construction jobs. The planning report states that the proposed development 'is the first capacity venue to be located on the campus, is unique in its ability to expand its capacity, as and when needed, through procurement of future sports event licences granted' Outlining the need for the development, it said that 'Cricket Ireland has no home of its own. It needs a home of its own. It cannot rely on using club facilities, much to the club's inconvenience and at great cost'. It added that the campus 'provides a unique opportunity to provide that facility for cricket and the proposal meets many of Cricket Ireland's requirements'.
BreakingNews.ie
06-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
New cricket stadium to deliver tourism dividend of €93m over five years
Plans lodged by Sport Ireland for a new National Cricket Centre, including a spectator bowl, will generate a €93 million tourism dividend here over a five-year period. During the same 2026 to 2030 period, the cricket stadium, which will have a permanent capacity of 4,240 and will be able to accommodate up to 12,000 spectators for the planned oval- will generate an additional €29 million through ticket sales and operational expenditure during the same period. Advertisement That is according to planning documents lodged on behalf of Sport Ireland for the National Cricket Centre (NCC) to Fingal Co Council comprising a cricket bowl, capable of future expansion for larger attendances, a High Performance Centre (HPC) and supporting infrastructure for the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown. A planning report drawn up by Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for applicants Sport Ireland states that this planning application 'will provide Cricket Ireland (CI) with a permanent, world class facility, within the home of Irish Sport'. An evaluation of the stadium's economic impact carried out by EY shows that €39.9 million would be spent as a result of the 2030 T20 World Cup Cricket tournament. The EY findings show that based on an average year's operation, the centre would support 460 jobs per annum in the period 2026 to 2030. Advertisement Overall, including the impact of the Cricket World Cup in 2030, the net impact of the centre, would result in 1,555 jobs. The planning report states that a once-off capacity of 20,000 will be required for the T20 Men's Cricket World Cup in 2030 and as it is a once off event will likely be the subject of an events license closer to the time of that event. A report lodged with the application states the Irish economy will benefit from co-hosting the Cricket World Cup in 2030 where the centre will host a maximum of eight matches, with the remaining matches to be played in Ireland to be held in Malahide or Stormont. Planning documents lodged show that the proposed development is likely to generate approximately 200 construction jobs. Advertisement The planning report states that the proposed development 'is the first capacity venue to be located on the campus, is unique in its ability to expand its capacity, as and when needed, through procurement of future sports event licences granted' Outlining the need for the development, it states that 'Cricket Ireland has no home of its own. It needs a home of its own. It cannot rely on using club facilities, much to the club's inconvenience and at great cost'. Ireland Two men hospitalised after latest attacks in Doneg... Read More It adds that the campus 'provides a unique opportunity to provide that facility for cricket and the proposal meets many of Cricket Ireland's requirements'. The report adds that 'there is a significant benefit to having an oval within the proposed bowl, high performance facilities including indoor training facilities, clustered together in accordance with the principles of sustainability and best planning practice, at the 'Home of Irish Sport''. Advertisement The planning report states that it currently costs Cricket Ireland €1.25 million to stage events at Malahide along with head office costs and the planning report states that the majority of that €1.25 million per annum is effectively a diversion of resources that would otherwise be allocated to the development of clubs and investment in projects to increase participation and better facilities. A decision is due on the decision in June.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Good riddance' – Eamon Dunphy's brutal summary of Marc Canham's FAI stint includes Monty Python comparison
EAMON Dunphy has offered up a withering summation of Marc Canham's time with the FAI upon hearing of his impending exit. The news Advertisement 3 The Dubliner feels Stephen Kenny and Vera Pauw got a raw deal from the FAI during Canham's time at Abbotstown Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin 3 Canham will argue that he did ultimately secure quality replacements in both Carla Ward and Heimir Hallgrimsson 3 The former Millwall man began his column with: 'The FAI's chief football officer is leaving - and good riddance to him' In fact, this moving of the goalposts over his exact role within the Association is one of many things Dunphy eviscerates in his The 79-year-old blasts: "It MAY have come as a great shock to people to learn that Marc Canham, the chief football officer of the FAI, is about to leave. "But to be honest, I am still trying to figure out when he even arrived because to my mind, he made no impact in his three years in the job. "And, by the way, what exactly was his job? Advertisement Read More On Irish Football "Initially appointed as director of football, he leaves as chief football officer, which reminds me of the sketch in Monty Python's Life of Brian when there is an argument between the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front. "That's the level of farce you get with the FAI, which has forever left me feeling underwhelmed, angry, disappointed and bemused. "They may have reached peak inadequacy during the John Delaney years but they were unimpressive before he arrived and are still uninspiring now." Dunphy then goes on the wise thing for the FAI to now do would be to set up a commission made up of "Irish football's three wise men" - two of whom being his longtime Advertisement Most read in Football Former Ireland striker Canham, 42, will remain in his position in the short-term for a handover with the search for his full-time successor to begin immediately. Roy Keane cracks joke live on Sky Sports as he tells De Bruyne to join Man Utd Staff only learnt the news minutes before it was made public, with plans not to be put in place for an interim appointment. He said: 'After much consideration, I have made the decision to leave the Association and relocate back to England. Advertisement 'This decision has not been an easy one to come to, but I believe that the time is right to explore new personal and professional opportunities for me and my family. 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my time living in Ireland and working in Irish football and I am proud of the work that we have put in place to support its long-term development. 'I would like to thank the FAI Board, all of my colleagues at the FAI, and everyone involved in Irish football for their support during my time with the Association. 'I wish every person, every organisation and everyone associated with Irish football the very best for the future.' Advertisement BIGGEST MOMENTS Canham was appointed in 2022 - and He also oversaw all the international teams, including the lengthy eight-month search for Most recently, former Ireland women's assistant manager Colin Healy has made a complaint to the FAI over his treatment and he claimed he was verbally told by Canham that he would recommend that he be offered a new two-year contract along with Eileen Gleeson. Canham has firmly stated that there were Advertisement FAI President, Paul Cooke said: 'While we are sad to see Marc leave, we fully respect his decision, and I sincerely thank him for his dedication and hard work throughout his time with us. 'His leadership and hard work in driving forward the Football Pathways Plan has set a strong foundation for the future of Irish football which we all now need to deliver upon. We wish him the very best in his next chapter.' FAI CEO, David Courell said: 'We are very grateful to Marc for his commitment and contribution to Irish football, and we wish him every success for the future. 'Marc and his team have shaped a clear vision for the game through the development of the Football Pathways Plan. Advertisement 'This is the first time we have had a clear whole game approach which the Association is committed to delivering on and which we firmly believe will set Irish football up for future success.'
