New code not a ‘football agenda’, insists rules chief O’Neill
O’Neill spoke at a presentation he made on the new rules to delegates at last night’s Cork County Board meeting ahead of GAA Congress in Cork on Saturday April 18, where delegates will debate on whether to permanently introduce the new disciplinary rules.
“This is not a football agenda being imposed on hurling,” stated O’Neill. “We know people are saying that there’s nothing wrong with hurling and that we’re trying to change hurling. We’re not trying to do that, we think hurling is a wonderful game and we just want to make it better. The new rules in hurling will ensure that the skilful player is better protected and doesn’t run the risk of bad fouls.”
O’Neill also dispelled fears that the new rulings would affect small rural clubs who have low playing numbers.
“We don’t believe these rules will discriminate against small clubs who do not have huge panels. I come from a small club myself in Laois and I have seen evidence where I believe these new rules are needed to protect young players, that small clubs are forced to use at adult level.
“We are also satisfied that physicality is not being removed from our games. The new rules have come about due to the inconsistent application of rules, insufficient respect to referees and indiscipline within our games.”
O’Neill believes that if Congress adopts the new rules, it will serve as a fitting legacy for the GAA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
“In this the 125th year of the association, it would be a great legacy. We are the custodians of these games now and we have a chance to do something positive.
“We have improved games and we feel that we owe it to club players to bring it to them.”
If the rules are voted in, they will come into effect for intercounty competitions immediately which would mean this summer’s All-Ireland championships would fall under those guidelines. The rules would be introduced at club level from next January onwards for the 2010 playing season. O’Neill also revealed that he envisaged that the rules would come into effect at second and third-level colleges games in the GAA from next September onwards.
Meanwhile Denis Walsh will remain as Cork manager until the end of the 2011 playing season, due to the late stage of this season at which he assumed his position. It was revealed at last night’s board meeting that Walsh had made a request to get his two-year term extended due to the fact that he will be in charge for a reduced timeframe in the 2009 campaign. The application was granted by board delegates and Walsh was also formally ratified as the new Cork boss, along with his selectors Pat Buckley, Gerry Ryan and Pa Finn, as he had been appointed in the time frame since the last board meeting.
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