Changes in the GAA - super thread

gormdubhgorm

I know most people immediately think intercounty when on this thread.
But I think the AI club deserves more profile, marketing, hype whatever you’d like to call it.

Always feel the GAA doesn’t do marketing well. The odd time it does 1916 commemorative stuff, 125 years of GAA. The crowds come and there’s a buzz.

Need more neutrals and casual GAA fans to attend club games, especially the latter stages. I suppose when the finals were Paddy’s day it was easier for neutrals/tourists to attend. I used to go then as a neutral if the day was nice, and one or both of games were interesting.

callaway92

Very hard to get someone not a somewhat ‘big’ fan interested in anything BUT a Final of club games. Someone from Clonmel would struggle to find interest in a Na Fianna vs Loughrea match for example.

No allegiances - no club affiliation and no interest in their county championships. No amount of marketing can help it. Even watching on TV is one thing but ponying up money for it? Not a hope

JasonN51

Regarding the BLACK CARD,

It just doesn’t work in terms of punishing a team for cynical play.

I believe a team should be deducted the value of a goal (so -4 with the new rules) if any one of their players receive a black card.

For example if a team are winning by 3 or 4 points (based on new rules) and the opposing team are having what may be their one last attack and needing a goal no one will drag them down knowing the implication of -4 points. If there is no points deduction penalty then everybody will drag a player down in that type of scenario late on.

This will also mean referees will have to be more certain on the black decision but at the end of all the players know the implication on points deduction.

What are people’s opinion on this?

gormdubhgorm

New rules like watching minor from years ago. Have not seen so much space available since Covid times!

gormdubhgorm

Also it seems most teams will now play an outfield fella in goal to take advantage of the 3 v 3 rule?

gormdubhgorm

With the new rules need an extra number on the scoreboard to indicate “2 point scores”

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123099871#Comment_123099871

given there was only one two pointer in the mayo-Dublin game, maybe it won’t be urgently needed…

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123099883#Comment_123099883

Fair point (no pun intended) just in my head before I saw the impact of new rules first hand assumed managers would practice setting the shooter in the two point pocket. Sort of like how the rugby scrum half sets up for a drop goal.

Both surprised and disappointed there was not more two point attempts (only saw Dublin v Mayo game) nevermind actual 2 pointers.

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123099901#Comment_123099901

Like you only saw the Dublin game, based on that seems managers may not see the two points as sufficient incentive for shooting that far out…

breezy1985

I'de like if RTE or whoever used a format of 1-3-20(29) for all football games. They do brackets sometimes when the scores get elaborate in hurling but it should be the norn for football now.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123100413#Comment_123100413

Aussie Rules / International rules had no choice but to do it. Looked odd at first but didn’t take long to get used to it.

gormdubhgorm

This thread seems quiet but it is the right place for it Niall Morgan of Tyrone wants the new rules re keepers to stay in place. No restrictions on the keeper bombing forward upfield. His main reason “It would ruin my enjoyment of the game”

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41577025.html

My first reaction was play as outfielder instead of Keeper Niall?

SheepsClothing

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123186909#Comment_123186909

A future where the goalkeeper is the most important outfield player on the team, by virtue of the rules giving them a free ride, is just not sustainable in the long term.

Under the current rules, stopping shots on goal is 3rd or 4th on their list of priorities.

Fr Tod Umptious

Big day today for the future of the football championship structure, details are below.

Basically after the provincial championship the provincial finalists, next seven from the league and previous year TC winners have to win two games to get to the quarter finals but can't afford to lose two games.

I hope it passes as the current group stages and old pre COVID group stages did not work.

The best championship format was the qualifier system and this is closest to it.

Motion 19

This year will be the third of an All-Ireland SFC group stage where three of four teams progress to the knockout stages. What is the name of an American quiz show and the abstract concept felt to be lacking under this system?

Rather than revert to 2/4 progressing, as applied under the Super 8s format, Central Council is proposing to get rid of groups altogether for 2026. The new system would retain the provincial championships, with three subsequent rounds of games played before the Sam Maguire quarter-finals, as opposed to the current four.

Round 1: The eight provincial finalists are at home against the Tailteann Cup winners/seven next highest-ranked league sides.

Round 2A: The eight winners from round 1 play each other. Round 2B: The eight losers play each other. Draws will decide home advantage and avoid repeat pairings of provincial finals.

Round 3: The four losers from 2A play the four winners from 2B (draws for home advantage, avoiding provincial final or round 1 repeat pairings) for a place in the quarter-finals against the winners of round 2A.

So a county that wins its first two games goes directly to a quarter-final but a county that loses will have to play a third match to get there.

The Tailteann Cup would follow a similar structure, though with one round 2A winner drawn to play an additional preliminary quarter-final against New York.

The motion specifies home advantage in the quarter-finals for the Tailteann Cup 2A winners, the Sam Maguire teams will presumably all be at Croke Park.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123197285#Comment_123197285

It was approved by 92%

breezy1985

Will probably confuse casual fans but it's the best available system (without changing the provincials which wasn't on the table)

Thankfully the stupid hurling hand pass motion was defeated.

Coillte_Bhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123197285#Comment_123197285

So Kerry and Dublin are virtually guaranteed to be seeded every year, an absolute joke once again

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123201250#Comment_123201250

But in the first round they could equally come up against a good Ulster or Connacht team that didn't make the Ulster or Connacht final.

The current and upcoming systems make the provincial championship as weak as they have ever been, I for one am grateful for that much right now.

MacDanger

Has the new forward mark been used much? I haven't seen it at all

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123197285#Comment_123197285

I can't believe this was passed. Seems like a bonkers scenario:

Rd1 one will produce 8 of the best teams who then knock each other out and get a nice break of one round - you will get the 4 best teams in the country here

Meanwhile they are waiting for an inferior team who may have beat two even worse teams. Or else they are going to end up with a the same 8 in qtr finals as played in rd2a, with extra steps. This is going to lead to more one sided games at the business end of the championship, not less

They were so close with the current structure- all they had to do was get rid of the link to provincial or get rid of the strange 3rd place additional round.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123204580#Comment_123204580

They were so close with the current structure- all they had to do was get rid of the link to provincial or get rid of the strange 3rd place additional round.

So what you consider close involves making two fundamental changes to the system.

Provincial championships are not going away.

Giving the finalists a seeding isn't ideal but it's not too egregious either, I don't think it had a detrimental affect on the system thus far.

But what was detrimental to the old quarter final group stages was dead rubbers and the potential of them, thus the third place team playing the extra round in the current system.

You will always have the potential for mismatches, but at least with this system teams it takes two wins to get to the quarter finals and two losses to get eliminated.

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123206900#Comment_123206900

With the old system you could potentially have a guaranteed 3 games for each team, then qtr final, semi final, final. Very fair on each team and very straightforward for all involved. Everyone gets the same opportunity, you could potentially lose a group game but knockout means knockout. It's a tried and tested format across many other sports and global competitions

This new system separates the top teams from the bottom teams and puts them on different tracks till they meet in the qtr final, and gives a slight advantage to the better teams, it doesn't make sense. Top teams will likely have to win one difficult game out of two to get to a qtr final. Their opponents will have 3 games under their belts, one of which they've lost. How is that fair?

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123225351#Comment_123225351

If you are fouled outside the arc you have been robbed of the chance for a 2 point score and should get a 2 point free.

Opting to move a 1 point free back or getting 2 points for a 45 should be banned.

gormdubhgorm

Simple one that I can’t understand has not been done player names on hurling jerseys. Kids would love it. And it makes sense as Hurlers wear Helmets. Easily identifiable with names.

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123244683#Comment_123244683

You'd have to assign player numbers at the start of the season to make it work. Sounds like hassle

Canaibh

Is it just me or have the new rules made no difference whatsoever? The only slight difference is that instead of having 15 players behind the ball (14 + goalkeeper) teams now have 12 players behind the ball.

Why don't they just ban the handpass and make a rule that the 6 defenders have to stay in position and the 6 forwards have to stay in position? That would solve everything. People say that that would mean no wingbacks coming up to score, but most wingbacks now just get the ball and pass it sideways. And having 6 forwards to score would be enough. It would be a sacrifice to make. But it would mean the end of the blanket defence, which is the biggest problem in the game.

The solution is to ban the handpass.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248124#Comment_123248124

It's possession game, if you ban the hand pass then teams would retain possession by short kick passes to each other around the D.

Canaibh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248185#Comment_123248185

But there wouldn't be as many players to pass to. It would be 6 players vs 6 in one half. It would be harder to play possession football.

Charlo30

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248206#Comment_123248206

You would just be reverting to catch and kick. You would end up with players just booting the ball up the field in the general direction of of one of their team mates. The end product would be low on quality and scores

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123249942#Comment_123249942

Which bizarrely some people are advocating for. Really does make you question at times.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123246610#Comment_123246610

Ah now. sure other sports do it no bother. Would also be a good indicator during the league which fellas are in the managers plans etc. Also great for the marketing etc.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248124#Comment_123248124

I think the new rules have made a massive difference. I really noticed it after seeing c.rua v c.usice. (Old rules) Then watched Dublin v Mayo (new rules) straight after.
In the old rules there was loads of handpassing and static stuff numbers funnelled back.

My first reaction to the new rules was it was like a minor match from decades ago. Loads of space more direct stuff, faster. And players running with the ball. I was shocked at the difference.
Put it this way old rules I had plenty of time to mark stuff in programme. New rules - I have to be much quicker for fear I miss some consequential action. Always likely something is going to happen quick now. To the extent I think top football is now a better spectacle than top hurling IMO.

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123248124#Comment_123248124

There's no difference except for 6 less players in and around the scoring zone?

I don't think a traditional blanket defence is even possible anymore as packing everyone back would still leave an space available or else leave handy two pointer shots, which will quickly put you well behind and having to attack anyway

Past30Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123250563#Comment_123250563

IMO the solo and go is the key difference. It makes a huge difference to the speed of the play and gives the defence no time to reset. I've watched the opening senior club league games and the game barely stops for breath. Forcing the kick-out to go long also helps. The 3 vs 3 needs some minor tweaking, particularly in relation to the GK, and the impact of a black/red card, but also works in that it reduces congestion for the attacking team. The number of subs may also have to be looked at. Overall I think its a big improvement.

Canaibh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123250563#Comment_123250563

But in a few Mayo matches there was a player (can't remember his name) who just kept the ball in the middle of the pitch and every few seconds he held the ball up in the air. 12 opposition players were camped in front of their own goal and he still wouldn't shoot. Players are afraid to shoot lest they miss. They're told not to shoot. I know you get the odd 2-pointer, but I just don't see how 12 players instead of 15 in front of the goal is an improvement. That's 11 outfield players plus the goalkeeper.

And two players contesting the throw is bizarre. I don't know what the point in that rule is. And that ridiculous hooter as well. There used to be a bit of tension (the only tension in the entire match oftentimes) when they'd announce 3 or 4 minutes injury time. That's all gone. I think every single one of the rules is absurd.