High scores as players adjust to new rule

Football Review Committee chairman Eugene McGee believes some of the high National League scorelines last weekend were “artificial” as players become acquainted with the black card rule.

Saturday and Sunday set at least a five-year record for scores in the opening round of the competition, with managers James Horan and Jason Ryan claiming players were afraid to make tackles.

McGee said: “Players are just getting used to it and as it so often has been proven it takes an awful long time for any part of the GAA family to adjust to a new rule. Generally, people ignore it until it’s happening despite all the advice they’re given and these rules have had a long germination period.

“Players are too conservative in their attitude and going to extremes to avoid picking up black cards.

“Some of the scorelines, especially the ones in Navan and Newbridge were artificial, but the message is getting through and players don’t want to be sent off, especially for stupid fouls which the black card rule covers.

“Players were nervous. No self-respecting player wants to be sent off. There are other ways to compete than committing these fouls and I can see things settling down for players.”

A total of 37 goals were scored across the first 16 games — 12 more than last year. The number of points registered across the four divisions was also up by 37 on 2013, in doing so breaking the 400-point marker.

Consequently, the average number of scores per game (a goal counting as one score) increased to almost 28, close to three more than the first February weekend equivalent last year.

Central refereeing officials refused to be drawn on whether the new rules including the black card was the reason for the rise in scores, preferring to wait and see if a trend develops.

However, there was a degree of upset with TV commentary of Rory Hickey’s issuing of a black card to Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea on Sunday when it was described as “harsh”.

According to their interpretation of the rule, the referee was correct to dismiss the midfielder from the field.

There were 10 black cards across the weekend’s 16 games, three in the four Division 1 games with none in the Dublin-Kerry and Cork-Westmeath games. The largest number accrued by one team was Fermanagh (3) in defeat to Cavan in Division 3.