Rule flaw on frees adds to confusion

The GAA are facing another embarrassment with confirmation that an anomaly still exists in their new rule interpretation on penalties and 20-metre frees.

After last week’s Cork-Waterford fiasco, the GAA have clarified that the measures are only relevant to penalties and 20m frees. This is in spite of a GAA press release last Thursday, which states all frees must be taken before or where the infringement took place. It means Patrick Horgan in Thurles on Sunday would have been within his rights to advance a 22m free in the first half and strike it past the 20m line.

“The interpretation provided by Central Council last week referred only to 20m frees and penalties,” said director of games administration and player welfare Feargal McGill.

In the document issued by Croke Park on Thursday, rule 2.2 of the GAA’s Official Guide was quoted: “After a foul, play is restarted by a free puck or a throw in where the foul occurred.”

It added: “Therefore, where play is restarted by a free puck, the ball must be struck at the point where the foul occurred. As in football, the player taking the free puck may bring the ball back as far as he wishes for the purposes of making a run before striking the ball.”

Why this piece of the interpretation was dropped wasn’t explained. Were the rule in place, it would mean 65s, for instance, being struck before or on the line unlike the common practice of them being hit two or three yards past it. However, as the guideline only pertains to penalties and 20m frees, it means the likes of Anthony Nash and TJ Reid can legitimately lift a free close to the 20m line past it before striking.