Kelly defends ‘anti-hurling’ sin-bin system

Brendan O’Brien

Teams in both codes are preparing for a new set of sin-bin guidelines, even though a handful of hurling teams played a competitive game under the original rules. Offaly and Down met in a Walsh Cup tie under the ten-minute sin-bin system, but by the time the competition resumed on Sunday, the new 'one yellow and you're replaced by a sub' ruling had replaced it.

Hurling interests say the process has been driven by football concerns, with ex-Wexford boss Liam Griffin calling the GAA "the Gaelic Football Association with hurling tagged on" in the Sunday Tribune.

However, the GAA President yesterday defended the latest rules tinkering for both codes. Mr Kelly said time constraints were the main factor behind the introduction of the new yellow card system which was rubbished by Kilkenny's Brian Cody and Westmeath manager Tom Ryan.

"The football committee met first (to discuss the need for further changes) and the hurling committee probably felt that they would run with that as well," said Kelly yesterday. "They hadn't obviously the same opportunity to experiment. I just had to go with what they proposed and Central Council went with it. If it doesn't work out then that will be reflected when people discuss it in Thurles.

"Over the next two and half months we will have a great opportunity to see the new rules in operation. We can then go to Congress with an informed opinion based on fact and Congress can decide on whether we want to go back to what we had before or go with the changes."

Kelly also dismissed suggestions that hurling would benefit if the GAA split into two separate governing bodies. "Hurling would suffer if it was separated from football. Hurling could suffer because, unfortunately, in a lot of counties, it is (less popular) than football.

"We've got a lot of money from the government to promote hurling and we do that through present structures. You wouldn't have the support that is there from some key county board people."

Kelly also revealed that Limerick's Gaelic Grounds and Semple Stadium in Thurles were the front-runners to receive the floodlights designated for the Munster region as part of the GAA's nationwide initiative.

Provincial councils have been asked to nominate one ground each for installation of lights.