'How do you have a rule that has "maybe" in it?' - McGeeney hits out at new laws again

The victorious Armagh manager was pleased with Saturday night's pulsating victory over rivals Dublin but again took aim at rule changes 

WHAT NEXT?: Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney reacts late on in the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Armagh and Dublin at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

All-Ireland winning Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney vented his frustration again about the new rules and their application after a dramatic NFL win over Dublin.

Armagh, who were 15 points ahead at one stage in the second-half, had their lead cut to just five late on before rallying again and securing a 1-20 to 1-12 win.

McGeeney was satisfied with the win, just their second of the campaign, though cut a frustrated figure when responding to questions about the new rules.

Referee Niall Cullen pulled both goalkeepers on several occasions for not adhering to the new directive that kick-outs must be taken within 20 seconds, resulting in tap over frees for the opposition.

"Twenty seconds? So that's a rule? Can somebody tell me how that is a rule? It's shocking," said McGeeney. "There was not one of those kick-outs that he blew tonight that was over 15 seconds. How do you have a rule that has 'maybe' in it? People are just getting carried away with themselves.

"And now we're told that when you pass the ball back into the square, it's only one pass (to the goalkeeper that is allowed). So you're only allowed one pass. And next we'll be told that you're only allowed to do it when the sun is shining into the east.

"What is it they want us to do? Do they not want the goalkeepers to touch the ball?"

McGeeney agreed with one reporter's suggestion that the game is being ruined but that this isn't being called out.

"I think somebody should (call it out) but it doesn't seem to happen," he said. "It's the same with the change of format of the Championship. They're saying we're spending too much money...and by the way, it's not Croke Park that's spending the £44m they keep talking about. That's the counties spending that, just in case people get mixed up. Croke Park doesn't send us that money, that's money we've to raise ourselves.

"But look, I feel for the referees. I'm not laying the blame and that there. There are things that are improving. The tap-and-go is good, trying to get the quick kick-out is good. I just think that everybody needs to pull back a wee bit. People are getting carried away with themselves."

McGeeney was also critical of bringing the ball up to tap-over range for certain frees, claiming 'the punishment far outweighs the crime'. He also said his understanding is that the GAA is going to restrict the role of goalkeepers, preventing them from engaging in the play and creating 12 v 11 overloads in the opposition's half.

But he said he didn't want it to seem like a 'crying-fest' and reiterated that 'there are things that are helping'.

"I just think that when you set rules, like, they went through Congress but you also put a rule in that we can make a change any time!" he said. "Listen, I'd be better off parking it and talking about the game. I don't want to be getting in trouble the whole time."