Duffy wants match-ban system

GAA chiefs are in favour of introducing match bans to replace the controversial time-based suspensions.

Referring to a “clear imbalance” in their disciplinary system, Director-General Páraic Duffy notes in his annual report that out of 68 suspensions of four weeks or more handed down at inter-county level in 2009, 18 players never missed a game as there was no next game in the competition to apply it to.

More pertinently, out of a group of 16 players who received eight-week bans, four missed no game while one player was “unfortunate” to be ruled out of five games.

Acknowledging that match bans had long been suggested as one way of addressing the inequities in the suspension process, he states that the situation is particularly noticeable at inter-county level. Here, the irregular nature of fixture scheduling means that at times there are frequently four or five-week gaps between championship games.

And, in a scenario where the four-week suspension is the most common in the games, it leads to a situation where many players effectively do not miss a game, despite being suspended for four weeks.

One reason for this anomaly is under the current system, next game in the competition for certain categories of suspension does not carry from league into the championship. And, these categories of suspensions from the last championship game of the season are effectively meaningless because they don’t carry forward to the next year.

Duffy said: “One of the main difficulties in designing and imposing a system of match bans is the multiple-eligibility of players for various teams within the Association. This is not only reflected in the eligibility of players for both club and inter-county levels (not to mention schools and colleges) but also within these levels (eg, a club player may be eligible for both junior and senior; at inter-county for minor/U21 or senior).

“However we have already carried out a bit of work during the year on preparing a system that can address some of these challenges and notwithstanding anything that may be decided in respect of the Grattan Óg (Longford) motion to Congress. I’m confident that we will be in a position to propose a workable and acceptable system to the 2011 Congress for the consideration of our members.’’

A key component of that, he writes, is that match bans at inter-county level should be carried over to the following year’s competition and from leagues into championships.

“I want to make the case for match bans as opposed to time-based suspensions. The figures show there is a serious inequity. Time-based suspensions are unfair, match bans are a much fairer way of doing it.’’

Meanwhile, Duffy restates the case for a renewed effort to address serial offenders, expressing regret that the raft of proposals aimed at achieving this had failed narrowly at last year’s Congress in Cork.

“I regret that these changes could not be implemented, but the causes that led to the development of these proposals have not disappeared, notably the systematic – and occasionally dangerous – fouling that tarnishes our games.

“I fully supported the reforms that sought to eliminate foul play – pulling down, tripping, illegal body-collide, tackling around the neck and aggressive remonstrations with match officials. Gaelic football in particular has too many fouls and as long as systematic fouling is seen to bring advantage, the game will never reach its full potential.’’

He feels the experimental rule process undertaken in the leagues and subsidiary competitions is worthwhile and led to a reduction in the instances of negative play. However, he is not convinced that it will bring lasting improvement.

“The reality is that under the experimental disciplinary rules, scoring levels were higher and the ball remained in play for longer periods. I believe that we will have to revisit these proposals in some form in the future.

“The biggest concern I have is the issue of persistent fouling. I think that Gaelic football is a wonderful game, but it can be spoiled by too many fouls in the course of the game, particularly persistent fouling that a player can commit quite a few fouls before he is penalised through a yellow card or two yellow cards. Persistent fouling is the biggest single problem. If that could be dealt with, Gaelic football would benefit. It’s not an issue in hurling, which has far less fouls.’’

Duffy says he found it dispiriting that some people were so hasty in condemning the early season experimentation.

“This is a pattern repeated year after year. Proposals are brought forward which are basically theoretical because we don’t know how they are going to work until we see them in practice, and every year we hear people disagreeing with proposals and saying they aren’t for the benefit of the game.

“We should calm down, see the proposals in action and at the end of the pilot period see if this is for the betterment of the game. My own view is that in terms of the rules being experimented at the moment I think the mark has worked very well. I have seen quite a few NFL games and the player that makes the high catch gains the benefit of the catch. A lot of people were opposed to the mark before this experiment even started. I hope it hasn’t closed people’s minds. I think it has been a very good innovation and I hope Congress accept it.’’