The game of Gaelic football has been in decline over the last number of years and, hopefully, the new rules being introduced will be the trigger to kick-start the game to become a more enjoyable watch, Kerry GAA Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan has said.
He noted that at the Special Congress held in Coke Park the new football rules got overwhelming backing from the membership of the Association and the rules will be put in place for the start of the new National League in 2025.
“The rules are in place for one year only and, hopefully, they will improve the game as a whole,” Mr O’Sullivan told the annual Kerry convention.
He thanked former Dublin manager Jim Galvin and his committee, including Kerry’s Eamon Fitzmaurice, for the work they have put in over the last 12 months to devise the new rules.
“Uachtarán, Jarlath Burns, has to take a lot of credit for setting up this committee and, hopefully, this time next year the rules will be looked at as a great success,” he said.
Mr O’Sullivan said Croke Park will also have to look at the timing of the concluding stages of the championships in hurling and football.
“If a county team reaches an All-Ireland final, the turnaround for a county to try and get accommodation for their teams and organise fundraising to support the teams is too tight,” the chairman said.
“The GAA is also losing out on promotional time through TV and media given that the hurling and football game weeks are back-to-back. A county should have a minimum of a three week run-in to a final,” he suggested.
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