Support from Westmeath for FRC changes
Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting
There was some discussion on the change to the two-point rule when the matter came before club delegates at a Westmeath County Committee meeting last Wednesday in the Mullingar Park Hotel.
In total, there were 61 motions on the clár for Saturday’s Special Congress in Croke Park and there was strong support for the proposals of the Football Review Committee (FRC). The reforms, trialed in this year's inter-county and club competitions, will be permanently included in the GAA’s Official Guide and come into force in January, after receiving overwhelming support.
Westmeath eventually decided that they would firmly support the change to the two-point rule - that is, if an opposing team player touches the ball before it goes over the bar, it will still be two points. Currently, shots for two-pointers will only lead to the awarding of one point if any player touches the ball after the kicker.
Patrick Doherty, Westmeath GAA's Head of Operations, explained that the FRC, in proposing the change, were seeking to clear up an issue that arose in a championship game in Connacht.
Alan Leech (Killucan) felt there could be contention if a ball is kicked in long and two players contest it and it ends up going up over the bar.
Barry Kelly (Coiste na nÓg secretary), an experienced referee, explained that the change will remove a “farcical situation” where goalkeepers are jumping up just to get a touch on a two-point effort: if they “flap” at the ball it becomes one point. There are doubts then and officials (umpires and referee) have to decide if it’s two points or just one.
“It’s impossible for a referee, or an umpire to judge (accurately) if the goalie gets a touch. This change is trying to eliminate that,” he remarked.
Motion 22, was presented as follows: ‘The motion proposes an amendment to the two-point score. Previously a shot kicked from outside the 40 metre arc only registered as a two-point score rather than a single point score if it went over the bar without being touched by another player. So you often had a situation where a goalkeeper getting his hand to a shot from outside the arc on its way over the bar meant it was a single-point score rather than a two-pointer. This motion proposes that all converted shots from outside the arc count as two-point scores provided no other player from the same team as the shooter touches it after it's kicked.’
Westmeath GAA chairman and secretary, Frank Mescall and Keith Quinn, attended Saturday’s Special Congress. They were joined by Joe Daly (Central Council delegate), Pat Reilly (Leinster Council delegate), Marie Lynagh (PRO) and Patrick Doherty.
Chairman Frank Mescall thanked the club delegates for their contribution and noted that there has been a lot of feedback during the year on the impact of the new playing rules. Some people felt the changes were not all positive.
“On the 50-metre rule and handing the ball back - I would have listened to an awful lot of dissatisfaction with those during the year. But we’re happy,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Barry Kelly noted that Saturday’s was the fifth Special Congress in six years and said it’s very onerous on volunteer officers. He felt delegates were brought from abroad and it could cost six figure sums for what could have been a talking shop. He suggested Saturday’s congress was merely a box-ticking exercise and perhaps the changes should have been passed by Central Council.
“There is a lack of necessity to bring delegates from all over the world for the second time this year,” Kelly contended. The people who are going are extremely busy and there is a huge cost involved. It has now become two congresses a year for the past five years. Already the enhanced playing rules put forward by the FRC have received 98% backing, and will likely do so again he observed.
The chairman emphasised that there was a strong effort from the association to be democratic.
“I take your point. We have no travel, we have no hotel. We are fine, but if you are coming from the likes of Cork or Kerry, you will have hotel (expenses) as well,” he said.
“We will listen to a lot of people with negative comments on the rules, and it will be the same people, by and large, who will have something to say on everything.”
Patrick Doherty agreed with Mr Kelly’s observation, but felt consideration should have been given to holding the congress remotely.
“Special Congress up until relatively recently was a reduced representation. We have decided that it should be a full representation, in a democratic way - it was mooted to the FRC that this congress might be online. It was discussed at a meeting. I think the online option could have been considered for this congress,” he said.
Among the other tweaks are, from a kickout, the ball must now travel outside the 20-metre line as well as outside the 40-metre arc before being played by another player of the defending team. There are changes to the mark from a kickout, the rule on disruptive conduct by team officials, and failing to take a line ball from outside the boundary line will now result in a free to the opposition rather than a throw-in.
All but one motion received in excess of 90 percent backing, the exception being the hooter which was still passed with 67 per cent support and had surprisingly little comment from the floor except for some reservations expressed around cost and consistent application.
O’Byrne and Walsh Cups return in January
The pre-season tournament, including the O’Byrne Cup in football and Walsh Cup in hurling, will return in the new year, with games on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Niall O’Brien, Football Committee Chairman, relayed the details to club delegates and explained that panels of 26 players will be used for these competitions.
The games will be 30-minute halves and all 26 players must play. In the spirit of the competition, it is being stressed that players get meaningful playing time and are not just introduced in the final minutes.
In the event of a draw, it will be straight to penalty kicks or pucks, and if the weather prevents a game from being played, there will be a toss to see who gets the points. In an effort to cut down on travel, neighbouring counties will be placed in the same group. Inter county players return on November 21.
Meanwhile, Leinster experienced an 8% rise in income and taking the Leinster semi-finals out of Croke Park was not a huge success for the provincial body.
Elsewhere, participation levels in Cúl Camps was down 6% nationally and 7% in Leinster, which it was felt was down to strong competition from opposition sports like soccer and rugby, giving young people greater choice.
Westmeath to oppose change to Leinster MHC format
A change to the Leinster minor hurling championship next year, which will see teams relegated from Tier 2 to Tier 3 if they lose the first round match, is being opposed by Westmeath. Coise na nÓg chairman Paddy Wallace, referring to a discussion document, said dropping to a lower level after losing the first round is a retrograde step and Westmeath need to be playing at the higher level to improve their standard of hurling.
“We should oppose this and go back to how it was last year,” he said, stressing that Westmeath would find it difficult to retain players if there is a reduced number of competitive games.
It was agreed that Westmeath will make a submission to retain the same format as this year.
Meanwhile, underage finals are progressing well, Mr Wallace advised.
Call to for change in all-ticket arrangement
Tony Robinson raised the issue of ticket availability for inter county games. If tickets are sold out in Supervalu, there is no option to buy a match ticket for games, he noted.
“Supporters end up frustrated and annoyed. If there is a problem, they should allow supporters to tap (their bank card) and go,” he remarked.
Frank Mescall agreed that it hasn’t been ideal. Tapping a bank card is no longer permitted by Croke Park for national games, he explained. Supporters can tap and go for club games, but not for inter county fixtures.
Venue for meeting criticised
Castlepollard delegate Johnny Rabbitt was critical of the venue for last week’s meeting. He felt the room was too small and also noted a problem with sound at the previous meeting. Chairman Frank Mescall agreed and noted the delegate’s point.
Planning permission to be sought for Centre of Excellence
Regarding the planned Westmeath GAA Centre of Excellence, Mr Mescall advised that draft plans will be available at the end of the year. Planning permission will be sought early in 2026.
“It is being worked on, but we don’t have any mock-up of a building or anything yet. There is a huge amount of work going into it. They will have plans for us that we will have to share for review with camogie and LGFA, and you people, and we will be ready to go for planning permission,” explained the chairman.
“The aim is that when we do go for planning permission, we will give the council the easy option of granting us planning permission immediately; that they wouldn’t have to go into detail or anything like that.”