GAELIC GAMES: NOT YOUR average monotonous media gathering to promote Sunday's Allianz National Football League finals in Croke Park. The failure of the yellow card initiative at Congress last week dominated the dialogue with a number of journalists becoming embroiled in the debate.

We, the Fourth Estate, are supposed to report the news but some factions are clearly supportive of Liam O'Neill's attempted restructuring of on-field discipline.

Yesterday presented the first opportunity to challenge some of the high-profile managers who resisted change in a public forum.

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, Derry's Damien Cassidy and Séamus McEnaney from Monaghan had no problem explaining why the experiment was a complete flop, while Cork manager Conor Counihan took a more balanced line, expressing regret that some of the ideas were not permanently adopted.

The event began with some friendly ribbing by new GAA president Christy Cooney and director general Páraic Duffy as both men had sought to adopt the new rules that stumbled, four per cent shy of the two thirds majority needed, last week.

O'Connor was poked on the issue and calmly ripped the trial period to shreds (ably supported by McEnaney and later Cassidy). The south Kerryman harked back to the sinbinning idea of 2004 - again, dropped by the GAA after an avalanche of protests from managers - when referring to referee Pat McEnaney (brother of Séamus) approaching him after the 2004 league final against Galway to note how disappointing it was to witness a free-scoring game, devoid of physicality.

McEnaney then became embroiled in what can be described as an argument with a reporter on the issue of physicality before O'Connor attempted to provide a definitive manager viewpoint.

"The most sensible statement I heard during the whole debate was when Colm O'Rourke said that we first had to decide on what sort of debate we want and then decide on the rules. There's no point in bringing in rules and then seeing what sort of game you end up with.

"I remember coming off the pitch after the 2004 National League final against Galway and Pat McEnaney refereed the game, the top ref in the country. The score was 3-11 to Kerry, 1-16 to Galway. It was a fantastic, free-flowing, open game of football.

"Your man (McEnaney) was shaking his head, saying that was an awful game. I asked him what he meant and he said, 'Sure, there was no hitting in it'.

"It depends on the type of game that you want. That was fierce high-scoring and fierce free-flowing - but is that what the GAA wants? That's what the GAA has to decide. Rugby is very attractive at the moment and a lot of that comes from the physicality of it.

"I'm not advocating foul play high up or low down, why would I with players like the Gooch? But you have to retain a certain amount of physicality in Gaelic football because it would be a much lesser product without it."

This issue always peaks in the summer months when, like clockwork each year, the disciplinary process comes under intense scrutiny after an act of foul play and subsequent suspension.

"I know from my own players, they are afraid to put in any crunching tackles, if you want to call them that, in case (they get yellow-carded and sent off)," said McEnaney.

"No supporter wants to pay in €15 to a national league game to see Tommy Freeman for 30 seconds, to see Brian McGuigan and these type of players.

"I think the sanction was far too steep. I can tell you at this stage we need to move on. Get consistency in the set of rules we have and let's move on."

This ongoing sub-plot overshadowed the focus on Sunday's games in Croke Park, with Derry meeting Kerry in a repeat of last year's decider, while Cork and Monaghan duel in the Division Two final.

But the main story of the year thus far, the main debate at Congress, dominated the midweek chatter.

"I know for a fact that players, once they get that first yellow card, wouldn't tackle for love nor money," added O'Connor. "We do stats on tackling and one lad who got sent off only put in one tackle in the following game - he was scared that if he went near a man he would be sent off. That's the point I'm trying to make - we need to decide what sort of game do we want? Do we want a free-flowing, high-scoring game, or do you want a bit of physicality?"

Another championship is coming and Gaelic football remains uncertain about itself. An unresolved dispute. Same as ever, really.