There is certainly a lot of excitement, curiosity and interest around the new proposed rules that will be showcased in the inter-provincial competition this weekend.
Lack lustre games have forced the hand of the GAA, and it was felt that change needed to happen, so Jim Gavin and his taskforce have came up with these new rules to try and make the game a more exciting spectacle to watch.
However, not everybody is a fan of the changes, in fact some are downright opposed to the idea of making any changes at all.
Connaire Mackin has enjoyed his most successful season yet in an Armagh jersey, ending the year with an All-Ireland medal in his back pocket and the Sam Maguire in his hands.
Although nine Armagh stars will play in Ulster's team to trial the new rules in this Railway Cup style competition, Mackin has no enthusiasm for the changes at all.
Speaking to RTE journalist Niall McCoy, who interviewed a county star from each position on the field regarding the new rules, the Orchard county man didn't hold back when sharing his views on the matter.
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Fair to say some mixed views in this piece. Aidan O'Shea and Connaire Mackin in particular with some interesting points. https://t.co/NoRAO4w6lR pic.twitter.com/8XVb69gu6c
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) October 18, 2024
What an absolute load of nonsense, there's no need to completely change the game. Good luck watching Dublin play someone from Division 4 in Leinster and putting 60 points on them with the new scoring.
"I was asking boys who were playing in the trial games last week. Niall Morgan, who has possibly the longest kick-out in Ireland, boomed out a kick-out and it landed on his own 14-metre line in Garvaghey against the wind. Opposition teams are just going to set up around that arc anyway for kick-outs and that's taking away the art of kicking for keepers too.
"There is so much more running involved in it too, the lads were saying it was manic, so they want us to get fitter, faster and stronger yet train less. And they talk about injuries?
"They're trying to turn it into an individual sport, full-backs having to stay back defending all the time and the likes. There’s no poor footballers anymore. Why should a defender have to stay back all the time?
"It’s a team sport, I enjoy the tactical side of it, but they’re looking to box off individuals.
"It’s so much more pressure on referees too. You’ve asking a referee in a club game who can’t see you getting the head beat off you to keep an eye on the likes of the 3 v 3?
"If they’re looking more scores, I don’t see why they don’t bring in a shot clock."
Mackin won't be the only one who is sceptical of the new rules, and of course, this is only a trial period, and if the feedback suggests that the changes are not successful, then they will be scrapped or changed.
However, it is unlikely that none of the changes will make it through, and the 2025 season will see Gaelic football like it never has done before.
