Jack O'Connor: 'I can't understand how intelligent men allowed that rule to go through'

The Kerry manager is adamant a controversial rule should be changed.

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor after the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Kerry and Roscommon at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Kerry boss Jack O'Connor has taken aim again at the controversial rule that sees frees being brought forward 50 metres if a player doesn't hand the ball back following a foul.

One such offence by Kerry's Mike Breen cost Kerry a two-point free during Sunday's narrow win over Roscommon in Tralee. However, O'Connor felt that decision was unfair and feels the rule is causing 'consternation' and deciding too many games. The Dingle-Barrs Munster Club final was settled after a last-ditch breach of the rule.

"I said from the word go - at least I am consistent anyway - that this would cause consternation," O'Connor said after Sunday's win.

"Mike Breen holds the ball out, some fella slaps the ball out of his hand, and it's brought forward for a two-pointer. That is a catastrophic rule. it just allows abuse. It allows abuse of the rule

"That was a terrible situation, what's the man supposed to do? He held the ball out. 

"Brendan Cawley is one of the best refs in the country. It's the rule is the issue. 

"I said it from day one, why can't the player just leave the ball down where the foul occured and back off?

"Even the very fact of holding the ball out to a fella, he can run into you. What are you supposed to do, hand him the ball and disappear at the same time? I can't understand how intelligent men allowed that rule to go through?"

O'Connor says he has made the point with members of football's FRC.

"I said it to Éamonn Fitzmaurice and I think to Jim Gavin. It had decided too many big games now. For such an innocuous thing."