An important county board meeting took place on Wednesday night during which club delegates were asked to vote on whether to accept or reject the new rules which have been experimented with during the national leagues. The majority of delegates present were against maintaining the new rules so Westmeath will be giving them the thumbs down.
A two-thirds majority is needed at Congress for the change in rules to be given the green light. At this stage it looks as if the majority of counties will be in favour of change, but the two-thirds majority required might be more difficult to attain.
The aim of the new rules is to stamp out dangerous play and continuous fouling. A list of clearly defined, highly-disruptive fouls was highlighted and these were deemed to be yellow card offences. A player receiving a yellow card would be forced to sit out the remainder of the game but could be replaced.
Another group of lesser fouls will be punished with a black book and two black book offences warrant a yellow card.
Personally I am in favour of the proposed changes. I think that anything which will speed up and make our games more free-flowing should be welcomed. It would also lead to higher scoring returns and allow our most talented players at all levels a fairer chance to express themselves.
How many times in recent years have we seen the star forward on a team targeted for ‘special’ attention by opposing defences. The Gooch and our own Dessie Dolan are two players who spring to mind that have had to endure more than their share of negative tactics at the hands of opposing defences.
While continuous fouling and negative tactics have become part and parcel of the intercounty game in recent years, it would be foolish to think that it is a problem exclusive to the intercounty scene. Indeed, I believe the club scene has even more to gain from the new rules than the county scene.
Away from the glare of cameras, many club matches have become littered with highly disruptive fouling. Any wonder that attendances at club matches is often not what it should be.
Up until now players have been only too happy to receive a yellow card if it means taking an opposing player out of it or preventing a score. Referees, through their reluctance to issue red cards, have to accept some of the blame for this, even if ultimately the book lies with the player responsible.
The new system however will make players think twice before acting in a negative manner and will hold them more accountable for their actions.
There are two main benefits to the proposed changes as far as I can see. Firstly our games should become more free-flowing and have higher scoring returns. Anything which might help to boost gate receipts, given the difficult economic environment at present, should be encouraged.
Secondly our most talented players will have a better chance of displaying their full array of skills. Particularly at club level where sides are often forced to play younger players at senior level, the new rules will offer them a better chance of protection. The likes of Dessie, Denis Glennon and young Thomas McDaniels would also benefit from the new rules as will all of the games most skillful players.
Cork, Dublin, Meath, Wexford, Down, and Longford are among those who have opted to support the proposed change. Tyrone, Monaghan, and Donegal have, like ourselves, voted against change while in Kilkenny there was a split vote leaving the final decision down to their delegation.
Other counties will be making up their minds in the coming week and the final decision will take place on Saturday week at Congress. Our own reiteoir supreme Barry Kelly made a very valid point when he pointed out that there are in fact no new rules as such, just new sanctions. He also dispelled the notion that football rules were being imposed on hurling.
I hope the two-thirds majority can be achieved but it is going to be a close call.
Good weekend for hurlers.
Last weekend was a very successful one on the hurling front with both our u21s and senior gaining two valuable wins. On Saturday the u21s enjoyed a comprehensive 4-12 to 1-9 win over Meath in the Leinster U-21 A championship. Andrew Dermody, with 2-3 to his name, was top scorer in an impressive team display.
On Sunday our seniors made the long journey to Tralee worthwhile by securing division two status with a one point win. This was a priceless win as it takes the pressure off going into the final game against Laois.
Westmeath v Dublin.
In their final division one league outing Westmeath travel to Parnell Park this Sunday. With nothing but pride to play for and still with a number absent through injury this is going to be a difficult encounter for the Lakelanders.
Dublin need to win to secure division one status and their improved performance against Kerry would indicate that they are going in the right direction.
With our attention now firmly fixed on championship in nine weeks time this game will provide an opportunity for a number of fringe players to impress Tomas and his selectors.
I, like most Westmeath folk, will be more concerned about the performance than the result of this particular game.
