Football League to Provide Data on New Rules’ Impact, Says Committee Chairman

Jim Gavin, chairman of the Football Review Committee, announced that data illustrating the effects of the new football rules will be disseminated after every round of the Allianz Football League. He stated that a recently formed Games Intelligence Unit is tasked with assessing the efficacy of these new gaelic football playing rules. The Football Review Committee plans to utilize GPS data, which inter-county teams routinely collect, to analyze trends from the preceding two seasons. This information will be made accessible to the public on a division-by-division basis throughout the Football League, rather than disclosing specific details for individual teams. During a media briefing on Friday, Gavin stated, “We’re planning by the Wednesday if not the Tuesday after [Football League] games, that you’ll have this data.” He further explained the data release protocol: “You won’t know which particular teams we’re talking about for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) reasons so we’ll be pushing out division by division what we are seeing in comparison to the previous years.” The recently formed Games Intelligence Unit will carry out this task, reporting its findings to the Football Review Committee. The Committee will then have the authority to suggest to Croke Park that modifications to the new rules might be required. Gavin also stated, “We will be evaluating the physical demands of the new rules. Everything from high speed running from extent of kick passing and hand passing. We’ll be sharing this data publicly with everybody as we march on.” The chairman of the Football Review Committee underscored that the GAA’s Central Council possesses the authority to implement alterations to the new rules “at any time.” Nevertheless, the former Dublin manager conceded that modifying the new two-point score rule once the Football League has commenced would be improbable. This is due to the potential for such a change to compromise the integrity of a competition where scoring differentials are critical in determining promotion and relegation outcomes. He further commented, “The most logical place [to amend or remove new rules] would be between the National League and the championship but if something is obviously not working, I don’t think we want to stand on ceremony.” Gavin stated that members of the Football Review Committee have been present at inter-county training sessions since the resumption of collective training earlier this month, providing briefings and guidance regarding the new rules. The chairman of the Football Review Committee also mentioned that the response from inter-county players, who have participated in internal training matches under the new regulations, has been favorable. He quoted, “It’s gaelic football. It’s not a hybrid game. It’s just a good game of gaelic football. That’s pleasing and we obviously hope that transfers to the National League.” Over the last three weeks, the Football Review Committee has been organizing online seminars with various stakeholders, following the overwhelming approval of the new rules at the GAA’s Special Congress on 30 November. This included a session earlier in the current week, which saw 800 club referees in attendance, and a separate webinar that involved 1500 club coaches. Additionally, on Friday, the GAA made available 90-minute and 30-minute videos that clarify the new rules. Counties will retain the discretion to opt against implementing the new rules for underage games, although the Football Review Committee advises their adoption. Shane Flanagan, a colleague of Gavin on the Football Review Committee, explained, “That takes account of maybe counties playing 11-a-side or 13-a-side at under-13 level and you are putting the posts on the 20-metre line.” He continued, “It’s still a decent enough kick for that age. The arc could still be in play. So let it be still in play. I think you have a lot of kids who would be very disappointed if the arc is not in play. Let them have a go and be like their idols.” Gavin expressed no concern regarding the GAA’s higher education committee’s choice not to implement the new rules in this season’s Sigerson Cup and Trench Cup varsity competitions. He commented, “The lead-in time was so short that I fully understand their decision. It was a very sensible decision for them and the point being made about players having to switch and back……I don’t think that’s too much of a drama.”