A 13-a-side game could take boredom out of football

The Extra Mile, by Westmeath Examiner Sports Editor Damien Maher

Louth’s Ciaran Downey is my hero after two weekends of O’Byrne Cup and O’Byrne Shield activity. The Wee County player did something a lot of players either couldn’t or for whatever reason, wouldn’t, over the two weekends - he kicked a long forward pass. He should be duly rewarded.

I jest of course, but in truth Downey’s long punt forward after 58 minutes, which was won by the impressive Sam Mulroy, is a feature of the game that is fast fading and not for the better. The previous weekend, when Westmeath played Longford, it was woeful in terms of entertainment value. Alright, from a manager’s point of view, it ticked a lot of boxes and Dessie Dolan and Damien Gavin would rightly have came away feeling the young players got something beneficial from the day. (It’s not really the managers’ fault: the rules are not there to force anything else other than what we witnessed).

But what about the paying punter, did they get much value? Yes, it was great to get back out again after the Christmas period and shake off some of the cabin fever the holiday brought for many families, but we went there to watch a football match. In all honesty, not much football was played.

For most of the second half, Longford tried to probe a well organised Westmeath defence and there were 28 players behind the ball. Yes, 28 players in a condensed space, making scoring chances almost impossible to create. How were supporters to see much entertainment in that scenario? Alright, it’s fascinating watching how it’s defended and how players have to make runs to unlock the door, so to speak, but in terms of being really gripping, this lacked a lot. Eventually, with time running out, Westmeath (two points down) kicked a long ball inside which led to a 45' and from that the visitors .. wait for it ... kicked the ball backwards.

And the truth is the same trend will continue unless something is done to change things. This amateur sport is coached so professionally and thoroughly now, how can we really expect anything other than the proverbial game of chess? Stats people abound and there are now, God help us, types of turnovers on which to provide feedback to players. Yes feedback is important, but when it stifles spontaneity, skill and audacity, it takes the entertainment from the game.

The recent Westmeath GAA county convention brought forward a couple of ideas, one that all frees be kicked forward and another that three forwards be kept their positions. The first was quite rightly accepted, but the second one was cast aside a little too hastily as it had something that could be worked on.

And yes, it is our collective duty to work at finding a solution to the current ills of Gaelic football. We can’t do a Pontius Pilate on it: if it means wording motions properly for GAA Congress, so be it. It is that serious; everyone needs to get involved because the game must be entertaining if people are going to pay in to watch it.

With that in mind, here’s a few ideas that could be worked on:

1. Reduce the number of players to 13 and keep at least three players (who must be have at least one opponent) in the opposite half of the pitch at all times.

2. You must kick the ball after one hand-pass.

3. Once in the opposition half, you must pass the ball forward.

The game, as it is, with 15 vs 15 is producing more negative football than ever before, so opening it up, or attempting to do so, by reverting to 13-a-side could be worth exploring. It would create more space and, yes, the GAA are going to have to come up with something to ensure 28 players are not behind the ball which is what’s happening too often in the modern game. That means some kind of rule to keep players in the opposite half of the pitch. Imagine the extra space and entertainment it would bring if as a 13-a-side game, just 18 players could be in the defensive half as opposed to 28 at present? Just a thought.

There has to be a renewed focus on kicking the ball and forcing players to do so after one hand-pass is worth a try. We had it in the past that you must kick the ball after three hand-passes, but it’s easy to see how that could cause confusion (no one considered that the referee had to count four steps as well) - this would be more practical and players might just get back in the habit of kicking the ball again.

The final idea would be positive also: there is far too much lateral movement and passing the ball across the field just to retain possession. We saw Kieran Martin’s cross-field kick pass in the second half on Saturday against Louth that went out over the far sideline. That’s the sort of game we are seeing at present and with no rules to encourage change, this style will continue. As to how it all would be managed in a game setting, well for all inter county games there are at least three referees, four if you include a sideline official (4th official): some have referees as umpires also. It's time to guide them, trust them and respect them. At club level the same applies in championship games; league games have always been under resourced in terms of officials so this changes nothing. The fear of referees not being able (or trusted) cannot hold things back.

So, for what it’s worth, those few ideas might well contain something that eventually helps solve the conundrum. Change won’t happen in 2024, but it must happen or the game will suffer.

Time to get those thinking caps on I suggest.

National Football League gets closer

Yes, the Christmas break is well and truly over and county sides are gearing up for the start of the National Football League on January 27/28.

In Division 3, Dessie Dolan’s Westmeath are aiming to win promotion, but it will be fiercely competitive. There are a lot of proud countries here who will want to get up to the second division where you can work at avoiding Tier 2 football.

Declan Kelly’s Offaly are the opponents in round one and that’s a key game.

Clare and Limerick are also in the mix. Down, under Conor Laverty, will be a strong opposition for any side. Antrim, managed by Andy McEntee will be tough to crack. Wicklow, trying to rebuild, have Oisín McConville at the helm. Westmeath will have to be at their best to achieve promotion but they are capable of doing so if injuries don’t prove a stumbling block.

The other divisions will be quite compelling also: Derry, Dublin and Kerry are the leading teams in Division 1, while Roscommon, a team that has done well in the league in recent years, could feature strongly.

Division 2 is seriously competitive and sees Armagh, Cavan, Cork and Donegal (under Jim McGuinness again) all gear up. Louth, Meath and Kildare add to a very competitive group.

It’s a crucial division as teams look to avoid being dragged into Tailteann Cup territory.

Division 4 sees Carlow battle with Laois (Justin McNulty returns), while Leitrim (with Andy Moran and Mickey Graham) will be pressing hard. Paul Kelly is new in Tipperary and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. Longford, under Paddy Christie, could be the team to watch, while Wexford are also in the mix. The first weekend of the National Football league will see following games take place: Saturday January 27: AFL – Div 1: Kerry v Derry, 5.30; Dublin v Monaghan, 7.30. Div 2: Meath v Fermanagh, 2.30; Kildare v Cavan, 5.0; Armagh v Louth, 6.0. Div 4 (6.0): Laois v Longford; Tipperary v Carlow. Sunday January 28: AFL – Div 1: Galway v Mayo, 1.45; Tyrone v Roscommon, 3.35. Div 2: Donegal v Cork, 1.45. Div 3 (2.0): Limerick v Antrim, 12.30; Clare v Sligo; Offaly v Westmeath; Wicklow v Down, Aughrim. Div 4: London v Wexford, 1.0; Waterford v Leitrim, 2.0.

Farewell Mick - a life well travelled

The sudden passing of Mick Price, Mullingar came as a definite shock to the many people who knew him in Mullingar and beyond, mainly due to his involvement in the GAA. He was a wonderful character, great story teller and someone who did his bit for the GAA when it came to selling the tickets to generate the much-needed funds for the year. He was of course Páidí Ó Sé's driver and right hand man in Westmeath in 2004 and he had fond memories of that adventure: he was more than just a driver and keeping Páidí on the straight and narrow was some challenge at times, but Mick managed in his own inimitable way. As a bus and taxi driver, he touched generations of people and will be fondly remembered. He has connections all around the county, including Mullingar, Ballynacargy, Mount Temple and Moate and many are mourning the passing of a good person. Deepest sympathy to Mick's family and relations.