Prof Moyna has made a few sensible recommendations regarding rule changes, http://www.offtheball.com/GAA/Its-actually-sad-Gaelic-football-is-dying--Prof-Niall-Moyna-on-how-to-save-the-sinking-ship but the ref issue must also be addressed in a big way before we have great matches again. Although the rules of the tackle have changed little if at all, the way they are interpreted has completely changed. Pat McEnaney became the most favoured ref in the Country, especially by the big teams due to his reputation for "letting the game flow". Other refs soon followed suit in order to be considered for the big games, with the exception perhaps of John Bannon. "Letting the game flow" is to me a phrase that can be defined as, ignoring small rule infringements and only blowing up for the more serious. This is what has led to the biggest outcry against refs of today, that of inconsistency. A yellow or black card in one refs eye is not even a free, or in some cases, is a free the other way in the eye of another. The biggest change in the way the rules are applied by almost all refs now compared to say 20 years ago, is that back then the player in possession of the ball had the edge in 50/50 calls. Now a player winning possession and then swarmed by 2, 3 or more tacklers more often than not concedes a free. The second big injustice is the way dangerous forwards are targeted off the ball with no consequences. You won't see it on the telly, but go to any big championship game club or county, and you will see the full forwards being embraced, held firmly be the jersey and in some cases be subjected to digs, even when the ball is 80 metres away. This is done to prevent them from making runs. The umpire invariably sees nothing untoward until the forward has enough and wrestles with his marker to break free, then the consultation takes place and both receive a yellow, which is totally wrong. In fairness David Gough regularly cards the instigator only. So any rule changes like restricting the number of hand passes and back passes must be accompanied by a return to a more traditional interpretation of the rules favouring the man who has won the ball, and imploring refs not to issue 2 yellow cards simultaneously except in rare cases.

martinjoe (Mayo) - Posts: 499 - 10/09/2018 15:10:08    2140762

Prof Moyna has made a few sensible recommendations regarding rule changes, http://www.offtheball.com/GAA/Its-actually-sad-Gaelic-football-is-dying--Prof-Niall-Moyna-on-how-to-save-the-sinking-ship but the ref issue must also be addressed in a big way before we have great matches again. Although the rules of the tackle have changed little if at all, the way they are interpreted has completely changed. Pat McEnaney became the most favoured ref in the Country, especially by the big teams due to his reputation for "letting the game flow". Other refs soon followed suit in order to be considered for the big games, with the exception perhaps of John Bannon. "Letting the game flow" is to me a phrase that can be defined as, ignoring small rule infringements and only blowing up for the more serious. This is what has led to the biggest outcry against refs of today, that of inconsistency. A yellow or black card in one refs eye is not even a free, or in some cases, is a free the other way in the eye of another. The biggest change in the way the rules are applied by almost all refs now compared to say 20 years ago, is that back then the player in possession of the ball had the edge in 50/50 calls. Now a player winning possession and then swarmed by 2, 3 or more tacklers more often than not concedes a free. The second big injustice is the way dangerous forwards are targeted off the ball with no consequences. You won't see it on the telly, but go to any big championship game club or county, and you will see the full forwards being embraced, held firmly be the jersey and in some cases be subjected to digs, even when the ball is 80 metres away. This is done to prevent them from making runs. The umpire invariably sees nothing untoward until the forward has enough and wrestles with his marker to break free, then the consultation takes place and both receive a yellow, which is totally wrong. In fairness David Gough regularly cards the instigator only. So any rule changes like restricting the number of hand passes and back passes must be accompanied by a return to a more traditional interpretation of the rules favouring the man who has won the ball, and imploring refs not to issue 2 yellow cards simultaneously except in rare cases.
martinjoe (Mayo) - Posts: 391 - 10/09/2018 15:10:08 You will always have differences between refs on what is/isnt a foul in many cases. Letting a game flow isnt at all ignoring small rule infringements and just blowing up for more serious incidents its being in tune with what players want from a game and how they act. The best way to stop/reduce off the ball incidents is to give umpires/linesmen more powers to call fouls/penalise players.

DonaldDuck (Tipperary) - Posts: 544 - 10/09/2018 16:06:02    2140784

You read the article on RTE about the fact most people complaining don't actually know the rules?

Off you go with your mates and take up reffing....since you know all the issues and have all the answers and like former palyers know everything put your money were your mouth is.

There is a shortage of refs becuase of abuse so people constantly attacking refs are probably the biggest refferring issue today!

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 11/09/2018 08:02:18    2140923

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1414 - 11/09/2018 11:14:40    2140960

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 11/09/2018 18:37:17    2141080