THE MOTION TO debate the ‘Anthony Nash style’ of free taking in hurling has been dramatically withdrawn from the agenda for tomorrow’s GAA Congress in Croke Park.
The high-profile motion from the Standing Committee on Playing Rules was a response to the technique perfected by Cork goalkeeper Nash throughout last summer’s championship.
It sought to stop players from advancing the ball in hurling for frees, penalties and sidelines. However as the 2014 GAA Congress opened in Croke Park tonight, it was revealed that the motion was withdrawn from tomorrow’s agenda.
The motion had been number 58 on the agenda but the debate will not now take place. Instead the existing rules will be strongly implemented to police frees.
The wording of the motion proposes that players be penalised if they ‘advance the ball deliberately from the place at which a free puck, penalty puck or sideline puck is to be struck from’. Referees were be permitted in such instances to cancel the free and throw the ball in between two players instead.
The phrase ‘to be struck from’ had been added to a ruling that already existed in the GAA.