Tipperary’s Andrew Ormond fears new handpass rule will be 'tricky'

“There probably was a need to freshen things up a little bit with some of the rules,” said the JK Brackens man. “I probably would have preferred if they just maybe clamped down on the handpass, I think that's going to be a tricky one. Very tricky.

“Rule changes worked for Gaelic football and the football championship was absolutely spectacular this year, so let’s see how it plays out. I think the referees were doing a good job clamping down on the handpass and things like that. Ultimately, it's refreshing to see a committee set up that you know have the best interest of the game at heart.” 

Like Offaly manager Johnny Kelly, Ormond believes the new 65 from the defensive side of the field threatens to be inconsistent. “Obviously, some pitches are different as in the distance between the two 65s are different but let’s see how it goes.” 

The increase of steps with ball in hand from four to six is no issue for Ormond if match officials are in favour of it. “If it makes things easier for the referees and they are able to clamp down on steps then fair enough, no issue, but there’s always the risk of maybe six turning into seven or eight and that’s not what you want.

“Look, I think you always give the player that’s on the ball the benefit of the doubt. You know the tackles are coming in heavy. When you're moving at that pace, it's hard to even count.” 

The tackle has also been amended to prohibit players from using their hands as well as their arms. That could be another challenge for match officials, believes the 26-year-old. 

“It's just so hard for referees to police all of this. Hurling has become a very hard game to see tackles going in because it's played at such a pace. I'll be keeping an eye out for the Fitzgibbon League. As long as teams buy into it, that’s the aim. At the end of the day, the best team is always going to win the All-Ireland.”