The GAA head of games Pat Daly, has defended the experimental rules ahead of next Monday's football task force meeting, which will be reviewing the potential changes that have sparked so much controversy already this year.
After just two rounds of the O'Byrne Cup, several respected managers, including SeáBoylan and even task force member Mick O'Dwyer, have questioned the stringent manner in which the rules are being implemented, especially regarding the sin bin.
Daly would not confirm whether the rules are to be altered before the National League but the sin-bin rule will surely generate plenty of heated debate among the eight-man task force. The Connacht Council president Tommy Moran is chairman of the task force and he is joined by managers O'Dwyer and Brian McEniff and players Paul Durkan, Brian Dooher and Dessie Farrell and intercounty referee Pat McEnaney.
"I understand how team managers are aggrieved," said Daly. "We want the same outcome but unfortunately they may be misinterpreting our intentions which are in the best interest of the game. We need to reward the skilful player. At present the message is it doesn't pay to foul - when it does then it doesn't pay to be skilful."
Daly fears if they are not allowed to weed out the cynical attitudes in the game, they may be left with no options at all.
"At present we have options, we don't want to be left in a situation where we have no choice. The players are resolute about the fact something must be done about the off-the-ball incidents and the body check. Otherwise something will be done but probably off the back of a court case."
A main problem facing the task force is to try to get the Ulster Council on board after they refused to adopt the rules for this year's McKenna Cup, which has seen its regular number of high-fouling matches. Without their support it will be difficult to get the changes passed at Congress.
"A referee should only tick a guy if it's a foul on purpose," continued Daly. "Two and you're off. Players need coherence and consistency here. The rules bring that, especially to ticking. We need uniform interpretation, consistent application and transparency of implementation."
Meanwhile, hosts Dundalk IT have announced details for this year's Sigerson and Trench Cups, which take place on the institute's grounds on February 25th. TG4 will televise the Sigerson Cup final live on the Saturday.
On the Thursday, a football forum will be held at the Whitaker Theatre on campus with a panel consisting of Mickey Harte, Seán Boylan, Pete McGrath, Brian Mullins and John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council. UCD have been installed as the competition favourites (7 to 2), by Boylesports.
UCD have a strong intercounty presence with Brendan O'Hannaidh (Wicklow), Liam Óg Ó hEineachain, Paul Griffin (both Dublin), James Sherry (Fermanagh), Seán Brady (Cavan) and Offaly's Niall McNamee. NUIG, who have Galway's Michael Meehan on board, are second favourites at 9 to 2.
Kildare make a number of changes for Sunday's O'Byrne Cup semi-final against Laois in Portlaoise. Mick Wright comes in at corner back for Padraig Mullarkey, who damaged a shoulder against Meath, with Damien Hendy moving to full back. Aaron Flood starts at wing back. The vacancy at right wing forward is likely to be filled by David Lyons, while John O'Donoghue returns at corner forward.
KILDARE (SF v Laois): E Murphy; M Wright, D Hendy, A McLoughlin; A Flood, M Foley, K Ennis; W Heffernan, K Brennan; AN Other, J Doyle, M O'Sullivan; R Glavin; R Sweeney; J O'Donoghue.
DERRY (SF v Queen's): M Conlon; K McGuckin, N McCusker, K McCloy; P Wilson, SM Lockhart, C McWilliams; P Bradley, J McBride; P Murphy, F McEldowney, P Murphy; C Gilligan, P Bradley, P Bradley.
TYRONE (SF v Antrim): P McConnell; B Donnelly, C Holmes, M McGee; O Devine, G Devlin, D Harte; B Collins, B Meenan; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S Cavanagh; S O'Neill, R Mellon, M Coleman.
