Armagh had the opportunity to trial the new rules in a challenge game in the Athletic Grounds to raise money for The Road Ahead Group.
The charity raise awareness and support around careful driving, and the accidents that can take place, particuary this time of year.
The ‘Crimbo Cracker’ event saw the All-Ireland field two teams, and fans were treated to a sneak preview as to how their county might play the new rules.
Speaking to Armagh GAA TV after the game, orchard midfielder Niall Grimley explained what it was like playing in the new age of Gaelic football.
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Armagh TV caught up with @maddenraparees and Armagh Senior Footballer, Niall Grimley after the 'Crimbo Cracker' event to tell us more about our charity partner, The Road Ahead Group and his take on the new rules.
Includes some highlights from the game. pic.twitter.com/QAoLXhxaCB
— Armagh_GAA (@Armagh_GAA) December 16, 2024
“The more you practise, the more games, and obviously that was our first official game, although in training and stuff we have been applying the new rules.
“You can’t beat match practise, it’s up and down, it’s tough, you need to be fit, and if you’re going on the attack with 10 or 11 players, you want to be coming away with something because there is nothing more demoralising than when you hit a silly shot, or you force something, and then you’re back up defending.
“Look, everyone is going to have to get used to them, it takes time, it could take months, it could take years, but we will be doing everything we can to apply ourselves fully and adapt to them.
“I think I forced a silly two-point shot, it went wide, but that’s the reward, like if you have men on your team who can take them big scores, like you have seen Ethan Rafferty, big Shane McPartland hit a free and got his two points for it - so if you’re someone who is stepping up and has that skill and that accuracy to put the ball over, then fair play to them, they deserve their two points.”
Armagh certainly aren’t short players who can kick two-pointers, as we saw in the inter-provincial games, where Rian O’Neill’s long range efforts were vital in helping Ulster win the competition.
Fitness is something that has been mentioned before, and it will be interesting to see which teams are capable of adapting the quickest.
