Cork's O'Mahony: New advanced mark rule 'gives forward all the advantage'

Daniel O'Mahony is looking for the playing field to be levelled in terms of the new advanced mark rule, but is very fond of the other rules put forward. 

TWEAK NEEDED? Cork's Daniel O'Mahony steals possession off Kerry's David Clifford during the Munster SFC semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Cork’s All-Star nominated full-back Daniel O’Mahony has given a thumbs down to the new version of the advanced mark.

As explained by Jim Gavin’s FRC committee last week, a player must catch the ball on or inside the 20m line from a kick that came from outside of the 45m line. The attacker can then play on immediately until no advantage is accrued.

Basically, go for goal and if you miss, come back for the mark.

O’Mahony believes the proposed new mark is weighted entirely towards the forward and offers no defensive incentive. It’s a rule he would like to see tweaked to level the field between forward and defender.

“I am not a major fan, really, of the advanced mark,” O’Mahony opened.

“I understand the concept and that the long ball in should be encouraged, but I just want to see more competition between backs and forwards.

“With that advanced mark, when a forward catches it, as an inside defender I am more or less incentivised to foul him straightaway because either he continues to play and gets a goal, or it is pulled back and he gets a mark from where he caught it. 

"So I'd like to see the field levelled a bit in terms of not giving the forward all of the advantage.

“Defending is a tough enough job as it is. There's no incentive for a back, you're just going to foul him straightaway. And there is zero competition then, it is just catch and kick. Maybe if there could be some tweak there it would be interesting.” 

What O’Mahony is intrigued and excited by is the proposal that each team must keep three outfield players in either half at all times.

INSIDE MEN: Donegal's Oisin Gallen and Cork's Daniel O'Mahony. Pic: Nick Elliott/Inpho

“Some of the rules are fantastic. The rule of having three up is going to be good because you won't be able to put 15 behind the ball. You won't be able to have a blanket defence. There will be gaps and it will incentivise more battles up top.” 

While some defenders might feel constrained by not being allowed to cross halfway and join the attack, O’Mahony would have no issue being designated as one of the three players that has to stay home and face any quick counter.

“The stock of having an out-and-out defender, their value will probably increase slightly because if you are going to have to man-mark players, you have to stay put. From a personal point of view, it might suit in some sense.” 

Knocknagree’s Cork Senior A semi-final win over Dohenys last Saturday means O’Mahony is unavailable for involvement in this weekend’s trial games at Croke Park. 

But beyond gaining early first-hand experience of rules that will become the lived reality for inter-county players next spring, the Cork full-back would have wanted to experience inter-provincial fare.

“Aside from the rules, playing with a Munster team would be class. Playing against other provinces would be really cool. 

"The Railway Cup was class. It is like colleges where you are playing with guys from different counties and you are seeing what they do, seeing what their preparation is, and what they are like in games.” 

Dublin calls for a different reason in the weeks ahead. O’Mahony is one of the 45 footballers shortlisted for an All-Star. The 24-year-old is Cork’s sole nominee.

“Delighted to get it. It is a nice little honour, it is nice for my parents. But disappointing season, though, with Cork as a whole.

“[The nomination] shows that if you can keep doing what you are doing, you can add your bit to the team.”