CIARAN WHELAN HAS called for different rules to be implemented at inter-county level in GAA to club level.
Former Dublin player Whelan believes the introduction of the black card, which was passed at last weekend’s GAA Congress, will eventually work at inter-county level but warned there will be ‘teething problems’.
And he expects the new ruling to cause significant difficulties at club level as refereeing standards are not always up to scratch and club panels will be placed under strain.
“I think it will take time to adapt to it and I think we will adapt to it at inter-county level. It will be the better for the game in the long run but there will be teething problems.
“At club level I think it’s going to be a more significant challenge. Being involved at club level myself, the consistency of refereeing is not there.
“We have to get to a stage at GAA hierarchy to realize that the inter-county game is different to the club game. Some rules can be administered better at inter-county level but not at club level.
“I do think the issue in relation to panels and strength in depth of panels at club level is a problem. A lot of teams are struggling for players and to have players on black cards then is another problem.”
Whelan would have preferred the introduction of a ruling different to the black card in an effort to curb cynicism.
“There is a problem in the game in terms of systematic fouling. Something had to be done about it. It wouldn’t have been my preference – the black card.
“I’d have preferred more a punishment on the scoreboard, if there was a cynical foul out the field award a 21-yard free or award two points.
“It’s really going to come down to implementation by referees, that’s going to be the biggest issue. We have to clearly define what’s a deliberate tackle and what’s an actual tackle with an intention to play the ball.
“I feel a lot of the players don’t have the trust in the current system. If we reflect over the last few years, there’s differences in yellow and red cards in the interpretation of different referees.
“There just isn’t a consistency. That’s the fear over the implementation of the black card. It is a severe penalty for a player who has put in a serious during the year.”
The Mark
One rule which was defeated last weekend was the planned introduction of the mark but despite playing his career at midfield, Whelan was glad to see it defeated.
“I wasn’t a huge fan, even though being a midfielder, of the mark. I thought the mark would slow down the game. A guy winning a kick out would possibly give 5/6 seconds to the opposition to regroup and get men behind the ball.
“We do have problems in the game in terms of defensive systems being the norm. So I’m not disappointed the mark didn’t get through.”
Whelan is talking rubbish about the mark. Just because you get a mark doesn’t mean you automatically stop the play – you have the option to play on. The idea of the mark was to stop the situation that develops now where a fella catches the ball cleanly and is then surrounded by 3 or 4 of the opposition and gives away a free for over-carrying. The mark should have been passed as it would reward players capable of displaying a skill that is worth protecting.
As regards the black card at intercounty level and the ‘severe penalty for a player who has put in serious effort during the year’ – very simple, the fouls worthy of a black card are clearly defined so don’t do them!
Agree there Keano about the mark, this rubbish of 3 or 4 lads surrounding a lad after he fields a ball is a disaster. A lot of teams don’t even bother to contest a kickout just wait for the opposition player to catch it, and surround him when he lands with the ball, and more often than not, the player with the ball is it one penalised! it’s a joke.
This thing of 4 or more lads tackling one guy is a huge problem, and should have been addressed. The main problem is you don’t know what way the ref is going to call it, in fact you could even see a ref going with the tacklers or the guy with the ball in the same game! Think the GAA should have looked at this, and bring in a rule where the player in clear possession can only be tackeld by two opposition players, 3 or more is an automatic free to the player wuth the ball.
I agree with him to a point about club football but in saying that I wouldn’t like to see different rules for intercounty and club either.
It’s going to be tough on small clubs, my own included where we would regularly have less than 20 lads togged out for games. But hopefully lads will learn quickly what they can and cannot do and the result will be a better game to watch. Alot will depend on how the referees enforce the rule, if it left for purely abuse towards referees and obvious cynical fouling I think it can work