New dissent rules will 'cut out all the nonsense and footballers will shine' says Niall Grimley

The Armagh star was named the Gaelic Writers Association's football personality of the year.

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024 - 06:00

John Fogarty

Of all the proposed rule changes to Gaelic football, Armagh’s Niall Grimley is delighted to see heavy penalties for dissent.

A player found to have taken forcibly taken exception to a referee’s decision will be punished in the form of a 50-metre advancement of the free. Likewise, if a player doesn’t hand over the ball after conceding a free it too will result in the free moving forward 50m.

There are consequences for the sideline too as in the event a management team official or non-playing substitutes is found to have displayed dissent, the opposition will be rewarded with a 13m free kick.

Announced as the Gaelic Writers Association football personality of the year winner supported by Dalata Hotel Group, Grimley is uncertain about some of the other Football Review Committee (FRC) rule amendments that he experienced with Ulster in the interprovincial tournament in Croke Park last month.

However, he fully supports how they want to enshrine the authority of referees. “It will be a new challenge for players, coaches, also supporters as well in terms of the dissent and stuff, getting used to that. That’s one thing I did like. It will cut out all the nonsense and hopefully the footballers will shine and the football will shine. It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

“The penalty was so severe there was no yapping at referees. You’ll never do it again if you do it once, basically. That’s what it came from, from me. You can’t stand in front of a man to deny him kicking it quick, you get out of the road because if you do it once, you never do it again.”

All-Ireland winner Grimley is anticipating other FRC rule changes will go through at Special Congress on November 30. “It looks like the three up will stick and the two-point arc. I don’t know in January and December how many two-pointers are going to be kicked with wet conditions, wind, soggy pitches. It will be interesting to see at the end of November what happens now.

“We were just getting used to these rules, the attacking mark and stuff like that and then they are going and changing them. Maybe they have something against Armagh winning it, that’s why they are looking to change quick - I don’t know,” he jokes.

“Jim Gavin, he’s a man that knows Gaelic football inside out. If they do come through, you’ll just have to work with it. It looks like some of them definitely are (coming in), so we’ll have to prepare as best as we can when we get back training.”

As Grimley heads out with the Armagh set-up on their team holiday to Miami on Friday morning, he is unable to collect his award in Dublin. However, his parents Brian and Frances will receive it on his behalf.

It’s been a difficult week for the Grimley family as they gathered on Tuesday to remember their son and brother Patrick who died in a car crash this week last year. Patrick’s wife Ciera as well as Ciara McElvanna, wife of 2022 All-Ireland winner Kevin also perished in that accident.

“For me it’s been a rollercoaster year, the lows have been so low and the highs have been so high. Unusual year. We are meeting all these anniversaries and stuff for the first time. Once you get over them, you feel a wee bit……and obviously to be able to give my family and community and Armagh the joy of being able to bring the cup back to Madden, my club, it has been a distraction if that makes sense, and it’s kept people busy.”