Frank Lohan invites constructive Hurling 2020 criticism from inter-county managers

Hurling 2020 committee member Frank Lohan has encouraged county managers to pick holes in their proposals providing they come up with better alternatives.

The two-time All-Ireland- winning Clare defender is satisfied the report delivered this week will stir discussion about the game.

“I think every manager I know wants the best for hurling. If it creates debate and we have to met a lot of managers at all the different levels (that will be a good thing).

“Hopefully they’ll find some issues but maybe they’ll come on and give an alternative point of view. They will, no doubt. I think everyone wants the best for hurling and move it on, that’s the key.”

Backing up Liam Sheedy’s point about cynicism not being a significant element in hurling, Lohan doesn’t feel making a second yellow card an automatic substitution offence instead of a red card one will add to fouling.

“You can look at any game and pick out things to describe it one way or another but overall I wouldn’t think hurling is a cynical game. Maybe there are issues when defenders do things but I wouldn’t think it’s a cynical game. We didn’t analyse every foul or anything like that but we did feel that there are more sendings off because of two yellows and does that contribute to a better game? We would think not. It’s too expensive. You could take the Dublin incident in the semi-final there two years ago (Ryan O’Dwyer’s sending off). Does two yellow cards deserve 14 versus 15 and our recommendation is no, it doesn’t. Players should go to the sideline but be replaced.”

Lohan feels referees will benefit greatly from being able to dismiss a player for a second yellow card knowing they will be replaced by a team-mate as well as the five-second advantage rule.

“There is still a red card offence but overall our point was to give referees the tools to make it a better game. We wanted to make it easier for them.”