Consecutive handpasses and backcourt pass among experimental football rules that could be revised

Cathal Kehoe of Wexford handpasses the ball. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

The limit on the number of consecutive handpasses and the backcourt pass are among the new experimental rules that could be revised.

Kevin McStay’s footballer expert advisory group will not be making a decision about which of the rules they will recommend for further consideration until later this month.

Sources say they want to study the data from the third-level Division 1 (Ryan Cup) games that have been played under the changes.

However, there is a growing belief that curbing the number of consecutive passes to three and preventing a team from playing the ball back into their own half of the field once it has cross the halfway line won’t make the final cut.

After the third hand-pass, the player must kick the ball, not solo. Only when an opponent touches the ball is the chain of hand-passes considered to be broken.

The sanction for infringing both rules is a free kick from where the fourth pass or re-entry took place.

While there is anecdotal evidence that there has been more direct play as a result of both measures, especially the hand-pass limit, there have been mixed reviews about the benefit of the trial changes.

One university manager has dismissed the Division 1 games are being treated as “glorified challenge games” as the Sigerson Cup will return to the current rules. The draw for that competition as well as the Fitzgibbon Cup will take place early next month.

Meanwhile, a collection of items depicting the career of the late Monaghan great Nudie Hughes have been put on display in the GAA Museum in Croke Park on the first year anniversary of his death.

Hailed by former GAA director general Páraic Duffy as the county’s finest footballer, the Castleblayney Faughs man passed away on November 3 last following a long illness.

Hughes’ three All-Stars, one in 1979 won at corner-back and two in ’85 and ’88, have been put on display along with some of the jerseys he wore.

Joining Duffy in commemorating Hughes at the launch of his collection a thronged GAA Museum on Tuesday were GAA president Jarlath Burns, Hughes’ former club and county team-mates Eamonn McEneaney and Declan Loughman, widely-known ex-referee Pat McEnaney, Donegal great Martin McHugh, Meath’s legendary manager Seán Boylan, world boxing champion Bernard Dunne and former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Ireland star Steve Staunton.

Elsewhere, counties are filling up challenge games dates in December. Dublin and London’s footballers will meet in a pre-season game in Ruislip’s McGovern Park on December 12. 

On the same day, Waterford and Kilkenny’s hurlers will meet in Azzurri Walsh Park with proceeds going to Waterford Hospice.

Inter-county challenge games can only take place from December. However, Mayo and Kerry received special dispensation for their 13-a-side challenge game to take place in Saracens’ StoneX Stadium in London on November 28.

Dublin hurler James Madden has confirmed his inter-county retirement. The 30-year-old Ballyboden St Enda’s man, who made his debut in 2016, follows captain Chris Crummey and Liam Rushe after they announced their departures last month. 

Finally, the addition of Ryan McMenamin to Sligo's football management team was confirmed on Tuesday evening.