New playing rules to be scrapped

The GAA's experimental playing rules are set to be scrapped at the end of the National Leagues after they failed to get the required two-thirds majority at GAA Congress this morning in Cork.

The vote fell just eight ballots short of the required two-thirds majority on a 177-100 margin with Cork, Laois, Meath and Derry among the counties in favour of adopting the new rules which were set to clear up indiscipline in both hurling and football.

There were calls from the Wicklow and Tipperary county boards to extend the period of experimentation until the end of the Senior Championships with concerns expressed by Tipperary delegate Barry O'Brien over the implementation of the rules for club competition.

GAA President Nickey Brennan said that experiments in Championship competition were not appropriate and he urged delegates to 'leave the motions as they are', saying that "we've already had a period of experimentation".

GPA Chief Executive and players' delgate Dessie Farrell, while commending the work of both Liam O'Neill and Pat Daly of the Disciplinary Rules Taskforce, stated that players were unhappy to see the new rules implemented.

A recent poll conducted by the GPA of its members revealed that 82% of those polled were against the new rules.

"It's important to acknowledge player opinion," Farrell said.

"They believe that the penalty for the unintentional foul is harsh and that there needs to be greater consistency from referees not just match by match but even within a game itself."

Farrell also stated the implementation of these rules would see some squads penalised as they would not have the strength in depth required.

It was also his belief that more of a focus is required on tackling indiscipline at club level.

"Indiscipline is greater at club level and there would be huge problems in implementing these rules there. If we are really serious about discipline we need to take a long term view."