The GAA love a rule change. Is there any other sport that flippantly alters the laws of the game as much as the GAA?
It seems that there are a couple of massive alterations each year in Gaelic football, with the introduction of the advanced mark just the latest example. That particular rule has been met with plenty of opposition from supporters, players, and coaches alike.
Barring a couple of minor tweaks, hurling has remained relatively untouched. That is largely down to the spectacle of the respective sports, with many arguing Gaelic football has become more difficult to watch over the years while hurling became more entertaining.
However, it is not a sport without its problems. While many purists will brush off such claims, cynicism in hurling is certainly an issue. Rarely does a game go by when players are pulled down in the manner that would result in a black card and a sin binning in Gaelic football.
This is only punishable by a yellow in hurling, but that could be about to change.
The Irish Examiner are reporting that the sin bin could be extended to hurling ahead of this summer's championship. This is one of a number of potential changes the standing playing rules committee has put forward to the Central Council for endorsement.
Interestingly, another change to the mark in Gaelic football has also been suggested. Under its current guise, a player who catches the ball but choose not to take a mark cannot be tackled for four steps. This could lead to farcical situations such as the one put forward by Joe Brolly, where a player could claim possession a few yards from goal and bury it in the net unchallenged.
The suggested change would eliminate this scenario inside the small and large rectangle, allowing players who do not claim the mark to be tackled immediately inside those zones.
Other suggestions include a slight change to the advantage rule in both codes, as well as stopping 'maor foirnes' from entering the field of play.
The Central Council will vote on any rule changes sometime next week, with those that pass being put before the Annual Congress on February 29th.
