'It would be remiss of us to rush this': Maher says hurling rule changes unlikely next year

Willie Maher said the 12 games in which the experimental rules have been trialled are not enough to change the sport

Willie Maher: 'Hurling does not need massive change. It needs tweaks and that’s what we’re trying to work towards.' Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

The GAA's national head of hurling Willie Maher said it's unlikely that new rules will be introduced to the sport next year. Experimental rules, including puckouts having to travel beyond the 45, a clear and definite striking action being required for handpasses, and a ban on consecutive handpasses, have been trialled during third-level Division 1 league games. 

"We felt 10, 12 games is not enough for the magnitude of the work here to change the game," Maher told the KCLR Hurling Podcast.

“We’re going to again trial more games, understand more of what’s happening. I think it’s important that we just take our time on this because, again, hurling does not need massive change. It needs tweaks and that’s what we’re trying to work towards.”

The Irish Examiner reported on Monday that a revival of the hurling interprovincials, which had been slated for November 28th, will not go ahead. The games had been planned as a showcase of the new rules. Regarding the trial matches, Maher said the final third-level games would "probably finish it for this year because there's no more matches".

Asked if the hurling expert advisory group would drop proposals it felt were unnecessary, Maher replied: "Absolutely." Maher said he will meet hurling expert advisory group chairperson John Meyler this Saturday and the following Saturday "to see what we felt worked and what didn’t, and back it up with data". 

"The processes within the association are very much around Standing Committee on Playing Rules, bringing this to the last Ard Chomhairle before Christmas, which is the 20th of November, which we probably won’t make now as regards to get on the agenda for Congress next year," said Maher.

“I think it would be remiss of us to rush this. This is not needed as regards like other sports. So we’re very much going to take it, I suppose, keep analysing, keep having a look.

“Twelve games is not enough for our beautiful game, as regards to be tampered with in what we want to do.”