GAA outline concerns over clock option

GAMESMANSHIP, "negative possession", "over analysis" and "deliberate concession of line balls" are four of the reasons behind Central Council’s proposal to repel the public clock/hooter rule.

Despite being backed by Congress on two occasions, concerns raised in the initiative’s latest trial before Christmas convinced Central Council to propose the GAA’s highest governing body later this month shelve its introduction to Gaelic games despite its existence in ladies football.

It is the second U-turn Central Council have made on the clock/hooter after they parked Wexford club Clonard’s successful motion to have it implemented in 2010 on the grounds of costs. Earlier this month, Dublin manager Jim Gavin said he was “baffled” as to why there were reservations about it being introduced.

However, should the motion fail to receive a two-thirds majority at Congress later this month, it is likely to come into operation for this year’s All-Ireland senior championships.

After last year’s trials during Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup weekends, it was proposed that substitutes be considered as stoppages and full-time (hooter) only be confirmed when the ball next goes out of play.

However, in the latest third level trial the GAA say they encountered “several instances of fouling down the clock”.

The report reads: “Teams literally fouled constantly in the closing minutes until the hooter sounded to protect a lead. The time taken to book or caution players in such circumstances eats further into the time available”.

There were also a football-only “negative possession” issue in the closing stages where the ball was recycled in defence. “This did not make for entertaining viewing and led, in some of the games, to games literally petering out, even when on occasion there was very little between the teams on the scoreboard”.

The report also fears an over-analysis by the media of the “seconds ‘lost’ to the clock” such as the time taken to kick/strike a free, kick or puck out.

“The only possible solution to ensure absolute consistency in such circumstances is to stop the clock for every free kick/puck, sideline ball or kick/puck out. This is not something anyone is recommending...”

Because of the hooter signalling the end of play when the ball goes dead, those supervising the trial also believe players will deliberately concede line balls to end a game.

The proposal to reject the clock/hooter rule is one of 65 motions to be debated in Cavan’s Slieve Russell Hotel on Saturday, February 28.

Four motions are put forward by the Hurling 2020 Committee — the one versus one penalty/one versus three 20 metre free, the advantage rule, automatic promotion to the Liam MacCarthy Cup competition for Christy Ring Cup winners and the double yellow substitution idea.

The minor review committee have five motions including the revision of the lower age eligibility for U21 and adult level in clubs and counties as well as the eradication of the quarter-finals in the All-Ireland minor football championship.

As it is a playing rules year, clubs are permitted to put forward motions pertaining to those that govern Gaelic football and hurling. Dutch club Maastricht wish to see the black card extended to hurling. Former inter-county football referee and Westmeath secretary Paddy Collins, via his club St Loman’s, has availed of the opportunity with six motions.

The proposal of a concussion substitute will be welcomed although, if implemented, it remains to be seen if it is open to abuse as it follows the same “temporary replacement” guidelines as the current blood sub rule.

Clubs from Tipperary have six motions with JK Brackens calling for the facility of extra-time to be applicable to all inter-county Championship games. St Mary’s, Clonmel wish to see the number of steps in hurling reduced from four to three.

Tipperary club Kilsheelan-Kilcash as well as Clare’s Clondegad propose slightly different variations on the limit of the hand-pass in Gaelic football.

It is hoped the proposals setting out the scenario of a calendar year will be voted on by Central Council and will not require a Special Congress. They have recently or are currently being debated by county boards.

Central Council will also act on ensuring the minimum penalty of eight weeks for racist abuse is also enforced. That punishment had been considered in the main part of the Official Guide but as it was not also stipulated in part two (playing rules) a Cavan footballer only served a two-match ban for the offence last month.

KEY MOTIONS

1. Increase the number of substitutions in hurling to six (Europe)

2. 12., 20., 64. Introduction of the black card to hurling (Europe)

3. A yellow card should be carried over into extra-time (Tyrone, Down)

4. Implementing 35 minutes a half at inter-county U21 level (Tipperary)

5. Facility of extra-time in all Championship games (Tipperary)

6. A heavier sliotar (Clare)

8. Permitting referees to consult with linesman about validity of scores (Westmeath)

13. A concussion rule similar to blood sub (Tyrone, Fermanagh, North America County Board)

14. Proposing Gaelic football goalkeepers must use kick the ball after receiving a pass (Kildare)

15. A hand-pass in Gaelic football can’t be followed by another (Tipperary)

16. Two successive hand-passes in Gaelic football must be followed by a kick (Clare)

19. Reduction of steps in hurling from four to three (Tipperary)

21. One v one penalties, one v three frees from inside the ‘D’ (Hurling 2020)

22. Advantage rule to be implemented in hurling (Hurling 2020)

23. Hurlers who pick up two yellow cards to be replaced, not sent off (Hurling 2020)

24. Christy Ring Cup winners promoted to Liam MacCarthy Cup (Hurling 2020)

27. The disbandment of clock/hooter rule (Central Council)

28. New closed season dates for U21 football and hurling as well as penalties (Central Council)

29. Registration of 26-man panels before Thursday 9am prior to SFC and SHC games (Central Council)

30. Permanency of Hawk-Eye (Rules Advisory Committee (RAC), Central Council)

44. For age grade eligibility, Championship year is that in which competition commences (RAC)

45. Only over 17s can play adult club. Only over 18s can play inter-county. U21s at club level must be under 21 and over 16. U21s at inter-county must be under 21 and over 18 (Minor review committee)

57. Authority given to Central Council to open all county grounds for non-GAA games (Clare)

60 & 61. Curbing exclusivity of players to county teams (Westmeath, Tipperary)

62. Provinces given right to form their senior championships as they see fit (Leinster)

63. One former referee to act as an umpire at each end in inter-county senior games (Donegal)