Waterford's Emma Murray backs bringing three up rule into ladies football
Michael Bolton
Waterford footballer Emma Murray has backed the idea of bringing the three-up rule into ladies football that was introduced into men's football this season.
This rule means teams must keep three outfield players in one half of the field at all times.
There was no new rules brought into ladies football, which has often seen defensive games this season, as teams are allowed to put 15 women behind the ball.
Speaking after winning the PwC Player of the Month award for June, Murray says she would like to see changes to the game.
“When you’re playing it you mightn’t even realise that you might be going over and across the pitch trying to break down a defence for four or five minutes but if it makes the game more exciting for spectators and that, a three-up like the men’s game would surely be a positive introduction.
"A defensive style of play has come in over the last couple of years. I don't know if as many are doing it as usual, but when you are training that is what you are preparing for.
"More of often than not, teams are setting up that way, so it is just on us as a attacking unit to be more creative or have a bit more pace in attack so you are not letting a team set up."
June was a month that saw Waterford go out of the All-Ireland at the quarter-final stage to 2024 runners up Galway.
After battling relegation in several seasons, Waterford more than held their own against the best in the country, with a draw against Dublin in the group stages and running Kerry close in the Munster final.
Looking ahead to next season, Murray is thinking of the positives from this season, but knows what Waterford must improve on.
"I would say when we look back on the last few weeks and months, there is more positives than negatives to come out from the season.
"After the Munster final and coming into the All-Ireland campaign, we talked about controlling games. In previous seasons, we wouldn't be used to being ahead maybe towards the end of games.
"That is something we still need to work on. In the Dublin game, we were leading for the last 10 minutes until Dublin scored an equaliser at the hooter."