16-06-2025
Brennan worried about proposed change to kick-out mark foul rule
Meath manager Robbie Brennan has reservations about the proposal to get rid of the 50m penalty for fouls committed on kick-out marks.
In the coming days, the Central Council will vote electronically on a Football Review Committee recommendation to do away with the 50m advanced free and replace it with a free from where the infringement occurs.
If passed, the alteration could come in for this weekend's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals and Tailteann Cup semi-finals.
However, Brennan believes it will lead to more fouls on players making kick-out marks.
'What does that encourage, though? You're just going to foul the guy, aren't you? I presume that's what's going to happen. If someone catches, you're just going to foul him and knock that out of his way, so you're probably losing that advantage of going up and winning the mark,' he said.
'That rule used to be there, it was a 13m free. I don't know why it's still not 13m free if you're fouled but look if that's what they bring in, that's what they bring in. As usual, we will just work towards it and practice it.'
However, Monaghan boss Gabriel Bannigan said the tweak will only enhance the game.
'Two men going for the ball, you catch it and I happen to leave my hand on you and it's taken off 50 yards. That's not in the spirit of the rules, and it's not in the spirit of the game. So, I would agree with that amendment. The other one is this thing of having to hand the ball back if it's a free given against you.
'I completely agree with trying to get rid of fellas time-wasting and stuff like that, but leave the ball where it is so that the player who the free has been given against has an opportunity to go and get focused on his next job. It's not a big deal for the team that wins the free to pick the ball up and go from there … So they're the two, everything else I'd leave as they are.'
At their meeting in Croke Park on Saturday, the Central Council also heard that the International Rules are unlikely to take place this year.
There had been discussions that the hybrid series would be renewed for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Croke Park this October.
Earlier this week, GAA president Jarlath Burns suggested the timing of the games in October would cause a problem — as it would take place in the closed season period for inter-county players. The Gaelic Players Association has indicated its support for the return of the series.
It was reported to the Central Council delegates that there was a 24% increase in Allianz League gate receipts, up over €1.5m to in excess of €8m. That follows a 7% drop last year, prior to the new football rules and a reshaped hurling competition.
Eligibility for the All-Ireland Junior Football Championship, relating specifically to London and New York, is to remain unchanged for next year's staging. Rory Conway and Niall Gallagher (both legal panel), Liam McCabe (Cavan) and Joe Edwards (Antrim) (GAA panel) were added to the Disputes Resolution Authority.
A proposal from the Higher Education Committee to rename the cup awarded to the winners of the junior hurling championship as the Corn Darragh Mhic Cárthaigh, in memory of MTU Cork student Darragh McCarthy, was passed. Midleton teenager McCarthy died in March following an accidental fall in Cork City.
County boards will supply smart sliotars for semi-finals and finals in all county junior, intermediate, and senior championships. It is the latest development in the roll-out of the microchipped ball in play in all inter-county fixtures.
