‘Opens the door to a lot of new players': Leitrim player reacts after first game with new rules

The opening weekend of the LIDL Ladies Division Four League saw the introduction of the new rule enhancements to the ladies' game.

The LGFA are trailing a raft of new rule enhancements which are in line with the rule changes that were played out in the mens’ game last season, including Kick-Out Mark, 3 v 3 Structure, 40m Scoring Arc, 50 Metre advance for dissent, The Solo and Go.

“I really liked them,” says Leitrim’s Rachel McIntyre, who lined out for Leitrim against Longford at the weekend.

Pace

The extra speed the new rules bring to the ladies, which was already fast, suits teams like Leitrim with good forwards and strong runners such as Aoife Gilmartin, Laura O'Dowd, and Emma Guckin.

“The solo and go. It really adds to it. It definitely speeds the game up with the new rules and plays into the hands of attack-minded players.

“Coming out of defence. I find it really handy because if you get fouled there. It's a solo-and-go,” says the wing back. “It really breaks lines and leaves players on the other side of the play very easily. Once you're gone, you're gone.”

The new rules suited the Leitrim side up front as they laid down a marker during a successful opening weekend against Neighbours Longford, netting six goals on the way to a comprehensive victory.

“The forwards have a lot of space to move into, which is excellent for us, because you can kind of give a long ball in and everyone knows the talent we have.”

New Tackle

The LGFA is also using this season to trial changes around the tackle, which is a long-time bone of contention in the game.

Previously, a player could only tackle the ball with an open hand, and when it was out from the body of the player in possession; however, now they may tackle the ball even if it is against the body and may make incidental contact with the player provide they make contact with the ball first with an open hand.

“It definitely does allow for better one-on-one defending,” says McIntyre, but she stresses that getting used to the new tackle in games is a challenge, as previously it took very little to commit a foul, and now there is a level of contact, so it will be about finding the right balance.”

“The physicality wasn't there at all. So, allowing us to be able to actually have open hand contact on the ball makes a massive difference.”

“It's just going to come down to the consistency of refs because they're adjusting as well to the rules. It’ll kind of have to be the same across the board, but I think we’ll learn with a few games what the level of contact that's allowed. “

There are also rule enhancements around persistent fouling, Controlling Contact in tackles. Additionally, 45m Kicks must go forward, and the square ball rule is now abolished in open play.

The new rules are something to think about in new games, whether it is the 3vs4 or the solo and go.

“It's really important that you've got communication as well. That we're all shouting to each other … It was quite difficult to remember to keep three back. Not that we were breaching the rule or breaching the lines, but you just sometimes you felt like you were constantly counting. Do we have three back? Do I need to stay? Or do I need to go?”

New opportunities

The new rules will open up the door to new players who can master the physicality of the new tackle or kick two-point scores, according to McIntyre.

“Rewarding skill in regard to the two-point arc, which is now in our game … I think there are lots of players that are well able to kick them. Not just in the men's game, but in the women's game as well.”

“In the club All-Ireland, like the excitement that the two-pointer Rory Fallon scored to bring it to extra time. It's moments like that if that were in a ladies' game. It would be the exact same kind of reaction. It definitely adds to the excitement,” she adds.