First football rules trial game produced positive chaos, reveals Éamonn Fitzmaurice

The Football Rules Committee member also responded to Sligo manager Tony McEntee, who claimed an FRC survey on the game is "manipulative, cunning and calculating."

SANDBOX SUCCESS: RTE presenter Damien Lawlor, left, with pundit and former Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

The first 'sandbox game' to roadtest proposed new Gaelic football rules took place in Mullingar on Saturday, with Éamonn Fitzmaurice, a member of the Football Rules Committe, reporting a positive response from players and some unexpected side-effects. 

Fitzmaurice also responded to Sligo manager Tony McEntee, who wrote in Saturday's Irish Examiner that the FRC survey soliciting feedback on the game is "manipulative, cunning and calculating."

Speaking on RTÉ's The Sunday Game, Fitzmaurice thanked players from Westmeath, Offaly, Longford and Kildare who played in Saturday's experimental fixture.

"We weren't trialling everything but one of the things that worked and was very positive, we had the two-point arc in play. it promoted the bit of long-distance shooting, it promoted the defence having to push out.

"The thing maybe we hadn't anticipated is there were more shots and shots dropping short and it created the bit of chaos inside around the goalmouth which was good to see."

Other rules trialled included the requirement to keep three players inside the 65 metre line, and the 'solo and go' free, where the fouled player can play on. 

"That worked very well, particularly if there is a delaying foul in the middle of the field. It allows the player to play on quickly and continue a quick counter-attack.

"We trialled the three-up and it worked quite well. If a player did start to go outside the 65, the opposing players are calling the referee to alert them to it. It helped to keep the traditional shape on the game. But it's very early days and we still have to put a bit of thought into it.

"We tried the new version of the advanced mark. it worked well. It was positive, but it's still early in the process and we're anxious for people to give feedback.

"As we go further down the line, we'll try to find ways round the rules. There will be unintended consequences of the things we try, but we are trying to avoid that as much as possible.

"I was very impressed with the players in how quickly they got to grips with it. And David Coldrick reffed it. He was excellent. he got the thing very quickly."

Players did raise some issues with the fine print.

"They highlighted some issues with some of the rules as well. Possibly in judging the kick inside for the advanced mark, to make sure they are inside the 20-metre line."

But Fitzmaurice doesn't accept McEntee's point that the FRC is trying to guide respondents down a particular avenue with its survey. 

"I wouldn't agree with Tony on that. Everyone's entitled to their opinon. That's why we are consulting so widely. There are over 5,000 replies that we are compiling, making sure we hear all of them.

"I'm sorry Tony sees it that way, but that's certainly not where it is coming from. I hope he filled in the survey."