John Kiely welcomes new dissent rule for hurling following GAA Congress

Limerick manager John Kiely, right, and Offaly manager Johnny Kelly shake hands after the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match at Glenisk O'Connor Park in Tullamore. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Limerick hurling manager John Kiely has given his full backing to the rule change introduced at this week’s Congress that will see dissent punished by a 30-metre advance in frees awarded.

The motion was carried by 95.1% at the annual gathering in Croke Park on Saturday and it will mirror the rule already in place in Gaelic football where the punishment for similar offence sees the ball brought forward 50 metres.

“It’s a positive really from a refereeing perspective,” said Kiely. “The referees don’t want players coming in and badgering them and rushing in to their faces when there is an incident on the pitch. If the decision goes against you it goes against you and you have to get on with it.

“It’s one that is in all of our control in terms of how we behave on the pitch as players, so it is important for the lads to take cognisance of it. Ultimately it brings every free into a scoring position.”