THE LAST POINT: No urgency in new rules debate

We live in an era of instant reaction, instant gratification, instant outrage or instant glorification - it is just the way of the modern world but when it comes to the new rules, or 'enhancements' as they were being termed last weekend, to the playing rules of Gaelic Football, best if we all take a bit of time to stand back and observe what actually will happen on the field of play.

You'd have thought that after the hectic hodge-podge of County Finals over the past few weeks, I'd have been sick and tired of watching gaelic football but no, last Friday and Saturday were devoted to a deep dive into the Allianz Inter Provincial series in Croke Park with all four games watched and poured over - something I imagine quite a few people did also.

That meant Friday's Connacht and Leinster clash and the meeting of Ulster and Munster were watched back after I got home from the Newtowngore Engineering U17 Championship Division 3 Final in Cloone, an absorbing match that Mohill won with a somewhat fortunate late goal against St Mary's Kiltoghert but it was a game that showcased the ability of some talented young Leitrim footballers.

All I knew before I hit the play button was that Connacht had won big the first game, that Barry McNulty embellished his growing reputation as one of the finest young prospects in the country (no surprise to anyone who watched Leitrim's Seniors or U20s this past year) and that everybody seemed very much against four points for a goal - so much so that it is already, reportedly, set for the chopping block!

It's not that I am pro or anti any of the particular enhancements that Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee have come up with - some appear to be no brainers, others a bit more out there but the one thing the new enhancements need is time - time to be tested and trialled, time for us to become used to a different way of thinking and simply time for a genuine consideration of whether the FRC's suggestions will make a real difference on the field of play.

THE LAST POINT: WHAT A WEEKEND OF DRAMA & GLORY

While hardly scientific or conclusive, the feedback I've read in the media or online seems more weighted towards negativity rather than any embrace of what might enhance the game - that's understandable, teams have learned how to win under the current rules, drilled incessantly in formations and structures to maximise their chances of victory and nobody wants to change that.

Armagh's Connaire Macklin probably summed up the essence of this cohort when, before a ball was even kicked last weekend, he commented to RTE Sport “What an absolute load of nonsense, there's no need to completely change the game. Good luck watching Dublin play someone from Division 4 in Leinster and putting 60 points on them with the new scoring.”

The Orchard County midfielder made a few interesting points about what the new rules might mean in a practical sense but it was hard to shake the feeling that the primary concern was that the formula that led Kieran McGeeney's men to the Sam Maguire last year might be affected, just like Kerry and Dublin opposition to the expanded All-Ireland series that was introduced recent years - they had a system that worked for them and boy, they don't want it changed.

I always find it interesting when players, managers and commentators speak with concern about the minnows of the game, how the new rules will see them hammered or new structures will cast them adrift but looking at the records of Leitrim, Longford, Fermanagh, Antrim, Carlow, Wicklow or any of the football teams from Munster bar Kerry & Cork, that concern appears only to be present when the status quo is suddenly threatened.

The Connacht team, featuring St Mary's Kiltoghert's Mark Diffley (back row, third from left) and Glencar Manorhamilton's Barry McNulty (front row, far left) pictured before the Allianz GAA Football Interprovincial Championship Final Final in Croke Park Picture: Shauna Clinton Sportsfile

Leitrim suffered record defeats against Galway and Mayo in the past five years  under the old scoring system and all we got was pious hand-wringing that something had got to be done. Something was done and everybody is still giving out about the changes that have been made - now  the playing rules 'enhancements' are being met with similar resistance.

I'm not going to go over what worked and what didn't - these enhancements are going to look very different next January, February and March to what we witnessed in what was essentially glorified challenge games last weekend in Croke but again, was that any different to what we've witnessed in the NUI Galway Connacht AirDome for the past three years in the FBD Connacht League?

What I will say is wait until the players and managers get their hands on the 'enhancements' - for all that the games were lacking bite, there was clear,  noticeable differences in how teams approached the games on Saturday compared to Friday  - those adaptations took place in less than 24 hours, again highlighting the intelligence of the modern day player and coaches. So imagine how different the rules will look when they've had two or three months at it?

Jim Gavin's committee is populated with successful managers, some of the brightest minds in the game, but I'm curious to see how Jim McGuinness reacts and adapts to the new reality. The Donegal man is often described as the father of the modern malaise that afflicts Gaelic football and there is quite a bit of truth in that, but it is what Jim Gavin came up with to counter McGuinness' tactics that is now the template for the club and county game.

Stopping a more talented team has always been a challenge in any sport - defensive tactics are as valid as any other part of the game but there is one inescapable reality and that is unless fans are entertained and engaged by the spectacle in front of them, interest will wither and die and that has to be avoided.

THE LAST POINT: A TALE OF TWISTS AND SLIPS

I'll finish by recalling conversations I had with two Leitrim footballers over the past few months. They both played in a club game in Leitrim that had fans tearing their hair out with the tedium, constant possession and back and forth football that left you wondering about your sanity. Both admitted that in the midst of playing the game, they thought it was brilliant stuff but when they watched it over on video days later, they couldn't believe how bad the game was!

That's the challenge facing those entrusted with Gaelic games so for the good of the game and our sanity, wait a while before making instant judgments and see what actually happens.

END OF AN ERA AS FRANKIE RETIRES

Just a few quick words on the end of an era here in the Observer after Frankie Smith retired last Friday, signalling the end of his 46 year stint with the Observer.

One of the most feared strikers in his day with Carrick Town in the Sligo Leitrim Leagues and deeply involved in athletics, Frankie had a huge love of sport and was immensely proud of the achievements of his brother Donal on Connacht winning Senior and U21 teams in the early 90s. 

The last of the old print works crew to leave the Observer, Frankie will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and we wish him and his wife Geraldine a happy and long retirement.