Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Risky business? If teams embrace new rules, they'll be rewarded

Football's new dawn is about the potential that the new rules can have on the game.

EMBRACE THE RULES: Teams were a bit tentative with the new rules but if they are embraced they will be rewarded. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

SO, finally we are up and running. Unsurprisingly the first weekend of the new Gaelic football rules in the Allianz League wasn’t a hinge point where every team and coach had a collective road to Damascus moment, abandoning the old and ringing in the new. However, there was plenty to illustrate what is possible under the rule enhancements, particularly outside of Division 1. 

As time goes on, I believe we will see teams embrace the possibilities more and more. Particularly if and when the data starts to show that this approach pays off in terms of results. After all, at the top end of the game that is all that counts, for good or bad. The referees on duty over the opening weekend deserve massive credit. Of course mistakes were made (and always will be) but they were at a minimum. Like everyone else, they are on a learning curve but, in general, they did very well.