'It does need adjustments': Former ref Brian Gavin looking forward to experimental hurling rules

The four-time All-Ireland SHC final match official has given a warm reception to proposals from John Meyler’s expert group.

Former intercounty feferee, Brian Gavin. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Former inter-county referee Brian Gavin says extending puck-outs to go beyond the 45-metre line will make hurling a better spectacle.

The four-time All-Ireland SHC final match official has given a warm reception to the experimental rules proposed by John Meyler’s expert group, especially the puck-out alteration.

For those restarts, three players from each team must remain between the 20m and 45m lines for puck-outs in that half of the field.

Gavin has heard some disquiet about the various changes proposed but he is convinced the game needs updating. “You listen to different programmes, read articles and see comments on social media where the view is ‘leave hurling alone, it doesn’t need to be touched’. Well, it does need to be touched, it does need adjustments.

“What they will be, it’s hard to know until we see the trial games but I would most welcome the puck-out having to outside the 45. This thing about giving it off to a full-back, getting it back and letting it go down the field has to stop.

“I do agree the three players from each team should be inside the 45m for the puck-out. We have to curtail the number of players between the 45m lines. I think doing that would be a better spectacle for everyone. It's just very bunched at the moment.

“Can we keep three v three or four like football? I know it’s football-orientated but we need to eliminate the rucks there at the moment with 10 to 12 players fighting it out for the ball. It’s not enjoyable to watch or referee. It’s not good for the game of hurling.” 

Irish Examiner columnist Gavin believes the addition of the word “clear” to the definition of the hand-pass as a striking action will help and he supports the ban on successive transfers from the hand.

“The hand-pass has become a problem in that we have seen teams put together four, five, six hand-passes before the ball is struck from the hurl. The skill level has decreased as a result. Not allowing two hand-passes in a row might be fussy but the trial games in the third level league next month will tell a lot.” The Offaly man sees the increase of six steps with the sliotar in hand as complementing the ban on successive hand-passes. 

“I have no problem with the six steps rule. Some people probably do, but it would be a problem if the two handpasses were allowed.

“I'd say they're going with the six steps because it links with the limit of the hand-pass. With just one hand-pass allowed, the player receiving a hand-pass will need a little bit of freedom to adjust. It's going to take him a while to get used to that.” 

The tackle has been amended to prohibit the use of the arm in the tackle, which Gavin also endorses. “If that gets through, that'll go back to coaching. If that is enforced, the arm wrap around the body will go out of the game and it’s such a big thing now because so many players are hovering around the ball and leaving the arm in and the player in possession can’t release or move it. He's either going to be overdone per steps, or the referee will decide, ‘Well, maybe it's a foul.’ 

“I'd be in favour of football’s hand-in, hand-out approach when you tackle. Leaving your arm in and wrapping it around or like the hand, it is another problem in our game. It has slowed down the game considerably. And it's led to more melees and throw-ins and scrappy hurling that people just can't watch.” 

Gavin would have no issue with the return of the maor foirne “once teams don’t abuse it. Managements need to get messages into players but under strict permission from the match officials.” 

He questions the new rule directing the linesmen to remain in different halves of the field. “If there’s a question about a sideline where the linesman isn’t and it’s a tight game, it could be controversial, especially when they’re worth two points under the experimental rules. I like the idea of giving linesmen more power but not curtailing their movement.” 

Although there is a specialised sliotar committee, Gavin was disappointed there was no proposal to trial a heavier ball. 

“I was at a game last weekend where there were 50 scores and 23 wides in 60 minutes. The sliotar is travelling way too far.”