Croker chiefs tell referees to target disruptive foul play

AHEAD of the start of the NFL tomorrow, GAA chiefs yesterday revealed referees have been instructed to target the penalising of several disruptive fouls that were identified during last season’s trialing of experimental disciplinary rules.

At a recent pre-league seminar attended by the country’s top referees on the current experimental playing rules, referees were also reminded of the need for consistent application of all disciplinary rules during the competitions.

Six fouls were classified as highly disruptive during last year’s National League, where the controversial experiment was in place of a player being shown a yellow card and then being forced to be replaced by a substitute. But referees will still be targeting those fouls in the upcoming league action and punishing players who commit them.

The fouls in question are pulling down an opponent; to trip an opponent with hand(s), foot or hurley; to deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of a movement of play and to remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a match official.

The other two fouls are applicable to hurling only and are to bring a hurley around the neck of an opponent and to use the hurley in a careless manner.

The announcement means the performances of referees will be heavily in the spotlight during the upcoming National League action.

The experimental rules which made their debut last month in the pre-season provincial competitions will continue in operation until the leagues conclude in April.

Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney and Dublin manager Pat Gilroy have been vocal in their opposition to the mark, while Tipperary’s John Evans, Kerry’s Jack O’Connor and Tyrone’s Mickey Harte have called into question the modifications that have been made to the hand-passing rule.

In an effort to appease intercounty bosses, GAA authorities recently held a detailed presentation and discussion with manager in Croke Park on the experimental playing rules. A decision on the future implementation of the rules will take place at the GAA’s Annual Congress in Newcastle, County Down on April 16 and 17.