'The keeper just comes up to play keep ball' - Eoin Cleary keen on change but calls for tweaks

After a year away, the Clare forward is loving being back in the swing of football but would like to see some new imperfections removed 

FRESH START: Eoin Cleary of Clare. Photo: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Although full of praise for how the new rules have transformed Gaelic football for the better, Clare forward Eoin Cleary’s recommended alterations include prohibiting the goalkeeper from entering the opposition half, allowing short restarts, and scrapping the two-point free for breaches of the three-up rule.

The 31-year-old, who took a year out from the inter-county scene last year, during which time he strongly contemplated retirement, said part of his motivation for returning was the forward-friendly game cooked up by the FRC.