New rules will kill the game, warns Cody

KILKENNY manager Brian Cody and Galway counterpart Conor Hayes have warned that the experimental rule changes in hurling will ruin the game.

Speaking at yesterday’s Allianz NHL launch, both argued passionately that the regulations have the potential to eliminate physical contact from the game.

What has stirred the blood is the general consensus that the rules didn’t require changing. Cody pointed to his side’s All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Tipperary two seasons ago, where only one free was awarded in the second half.

Hayes too noted that in the past two seasons of league and championship, no Galway player had been sent off.

“I’d say the average number of frees in a hurling game is maybe 20-25,” said Cody. “By bringing in these rules there’s going to be more frees in hurling and all because of a genuine use of the body. That is the way we grew up playing hurling. That will change if these rules are left there.”

Already there is widespread confusion among players, managers, supporters and even referees as to how to apply the new rulings from Croke Park.

Hayes agreed with Cody’s concerns that the laws will increase the free count.

“It’s going to boil down again to individual referees and how they interpret it but what I’d like to know is - is every free now a ticking offence except for over-carrying? It looks as if it is.

“So, technically, you could end up using six subs very quickly for minor offences which, heretofore, would have probably been let go. I hope people are prepared to accept change during the league as well, which may well have to happen.”

Cody has been the rules’ most vociferous opponent, whether it was the sin bin system or its substitution successor. Having watched them from the line during three Walsh Cup games, he believes the new regulations are leaving referees with a near impossible task.

Younger officials, in particular he claims, hoping to move up the ladder and take charge of bigger games, will have no option but to stick to the letter of the law, which will in turn see a greater volume of players paying the price.

“I have absolute sympathy for referees but before our first game the referee came in and did not have answers to our questions. I resent the way the thing was handled,” Cody said.

Adding to the air of disgruntlement is the perception that the rule changes have been railroaded in, largely on the back of experimentation in football matches held in provincial tournaments in Munster, Leinster and Connacht.

Cork’s John Allen called for common sense.

“In comparison to football, the amount of fouls is minimal and I would hate if the physicality was taken out of hurling. If somebody is intentionally hit off the ball or with a hurley, absolutely, people like that should be sent off.

“But if it goes down the road of not being able to physically challenge people on the ball then, no. This is not the game we grew up with or the game spectators want to see with good, high scoring hurling.

“I hope common sense prevails.”

If it doesn’t, the consequences, according to Cody, could be dire.

“I said after our first Walsh Cup game this will kill the game and I believe that. I don’t know who is responsible for it but, it’s messing with hurling.

“My only concern is - not what it’s going to do to our chances of winning or losing anything - I want young fellas in 100 years’ time to be enjoying their hurling as they’ve always done. This is an absolutely crazy step to take.

“Christy Ring and all these people that have been eulogised down the years - and rightly so, the Eddie Kehers and all these people - what they would make of what they’re trying to introduce, I don’t know.”