Former Meath manager and GAA pundit Colm O'Rourke believes that the new rules in Gaelic football might create more handpassing, rather than negate it.
Jim Gavin's GAA Football Review Committee has pushed through new rules to enhance and energise a game that has badly needed it.
The scoring system will change, the kickouts will be quicker, and the keeper could become a more significant part of a team's buildup.
O'Rourke, who is well known in GAA for his time with Meath and on television, is looking forward to the new season but isn't as optimistic as others when it comes to the new rules.
Rigid handpassing and slow, laborious buildup have become major issues in the game, and the Meath legend believes there could be a scenario where handpassing numbers will increase rather than decrease.
"There are big days — and nights — to look forward to, especially with new rules and the possibility that a game of football might break out. I hope the optimists are right, but from what I have seen so far, there is a distinct possibility that there will be more handpassing, not less. I think teams will hold the ball as much as possible to allow the goalkeeper to get forward and create an extra man," said O'Rourke, writing in his Sunday Independent column.
Colm O'Rourke (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)O'Rourke also believes that the keeper will become a more important aspect of the game.
"The goalkeeper is going to become the most important player in the new game, and a lot of teams may come around to playing an outfield player with an accurate kick-out in goals. Shot stopping is far less important than being able to move upfield and score. He will also need to be an athlete."
"With a goalkeeper in an advanced position, there is every danger the ball can be played over and back outside the scoring arc as the attacking team, with an extra man, probes for an overlap. This could be similar to last year, except maybe worse, as three forwards have to stand and watch this "tennis," unable to cross the halfway line to put in a tackle."
The process in the coming weeks will show if the rules are a success or a disaster for the game. O'Rourke admits it could get very tough for referees in the coming weeks.
"In some regards, it could be a form of torture. Some teams may adopt a system where the three players remaining in their own half interchange depending on which side of the field the ball is on. Confusing, or what? May God bless the referees."
