MacLochlainn: square ball rule is a ‘nightmare’

WHO better than Andriu MacLochlainn to explain how ludicrous the square ball rule actually is?

Two weekends ago, the defender was one of three Kildare men beaten to the punch by Graham Geraghty whose fisted effort was disallowed and he was also in the vicinity last August when Benny Coulter’s clearly illegal goal was allowed stand.

Two incidents, one in Kildare’s favour and one very much against. Karma? Not exactly.

Kieran McGeeney’s side would probably have beaten Meath even if Geraghty’s effort was counted but they lost to Down by just two points in that All-Ireland semi-final.

“It’s nearly impossible to be outside the square when the ball is coming in,” said MacLochlainn yesterday. “I don’t see the point in the rule. The square is so small and the ball is travelling at such pace. Unless it is lobbed in so high it is hanging and you have time to get into the square, it is nearly impossible to get a goal that is legal.

“The goal last year, the cameras don’t really show it effectively. I thought he was in the square as soon as it went in and that was why I protested at the time. I had been back there covering so I could see he was in the square but the angle on the camera doesn’t really show that. Look, it happens but it is very disappointing.”

It isn’t just players and managers suffering under the yoke of an unworkable regulation. MacLochlainn said as much when he remarked that the rule is a nightmare for referees and an extra burden on umpires who are placed in an impossible position. Most frustrating of all is the fact that the confusion was all but eradicated during last year’s league when the experimental rules allowed a player into the area before the ball as long as it arrived from open play and not dead balls but Congress, in its wisdom, duly had it scrapped.

“It was more practical. You have legitimately got a chance of getting a score. The other way makes it extremely difficult. If you sat down and thought about it, how could a person travel as fast as a ball?”

“It’s impossible. It is a small thing but it has affected games in the past.”

And more in the future, no doubt.