Rules unchanged but numbers on sideline creeping back up

The GAA insist sideline regulations have not been relaxed — despite a noticeable increase in the number of management and backroom officials at pitchside in the past couple of months.

In Sunday’s Munster semi-final in Thurles, Limerick manager TJ Ryan was joined by his three selectors on the sideline, when only one is permitted to assist him.

However, it is not an isolated incident as similar occurrences took place during the Division 1 semi-finals in Limerick in April. Kilkenny and Galway had seven and six personnel on the sideline respectively, while in the other game Tipperary and Clare had their full complement of management and board officials. Mickey Harte has also been joined by both Tony Donnelly and Gavin Devlin in recent games.