GAELIC football’s new playing rules have already taken a battering before a ball has been kicked – but Antrim ace Patrick McBride is a big supporter of them.
The St John’s man feels the seven new rule enhancements from the Football Review Committee [FRC] will lead to a quicker, more entertaining game.
“I have been enjoying the games,” McBride said.
“It’s quicker. It’s definitely tougher and you have to be in the right condition to play with the new rules because there’s a lot more running involved.
“And when the opposition brings the goalkeeper up you can’t go man-to-man because they’ve a spare forward, so you’re constantly running between men, trying to press out.
“If one person sleeps it could be a goal for the other team, so you’ve to be a lot more tuned in, mentally, and a lot more energetic in defence.
“Before, when you could have 14 or 15 men behind the ball, you could hold your position and move comfortably. Now it’s harder work every time the other team has the ball.”
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The FRC have come up with some innovative new playing rules that will be under review throughout the National Football League that gets underway this weekend.
Among them, teams must keep three players in the opposition half of the field at all times, while two-pointers are available outside the new 40-metre arc.
The Antrim footballers open their Division Three account against Clare at Corrigan Park on Sunday (1pm).
“The two-pointer arc, I like,” said McBride, who made his Championship debut in 2013.
“I like teams having to keep three up because you’re able to press a team better as you’re not allowed to go back to your ‘keeper.
“That’s a good rule because teams were able to walk the ball up slowly which is forcing the team back - but if the other team keeps their ‘keeper up they could have a 12 v 11 press and tackle high.
“The only thing I don’t like is where a player [one of the front three] steps into the opposition half, it’s a 13-metre free. That’s a score for the other team. It should be a harder kick, maybe at the edge of the ‘D’ where it’s not a certain score.”
The FRC has also tackled the thorny issue of dissent from players and management with McBride insisting the 50-metre punishment was sorely needed at juvenile level.
“I really like moving the ball 50 metres forward for dissent, if it is dissent. I wholeheartedly agree with stamping that out. But, say, if you’re soloing the ball and you are done for over-carrying and you turn to the ref and say ‘What?’ That’s a basic human reaction. I don’t think that should be punished by 50 metres. A referee should be able to use their head in those circumstances.
“I think a manager should be allowed to talk to a referee but if it’s dissent that’s different. I don’t think that’ll be a problem at county level.
“But I’ve watched underage matches and the sidelines are wild at times at U14 or U16 level. That has to stop. If that kind of indiscipline continues they’re going to lose their kids matches. I think that’s good.”
The solo and go rule – where a player can elect to move the ball after being fouled – is another innovation that’s won McBride’s approval.
“You mightn’t be a great kick passer and might not have the tools to hit it well enough, but if you solo it, you’re away again. It just makes it all quicker and probably more exciting.”
He added: “I never had a problem with the old rules either and I loved watching those games too.
“If there were two defensive teams, I’d be interested in their set ups…It’ll be interesting to see how the new rules develop and what coaches do.
“I think there’ll be teams that will build it up slowly, wait for the 12 v 11 and score that way. And there will teams who have good transition and will try and score with that.
“Whoever has the best plan and tactics are going to do well. It just depends on your team and what players you have.”
Declan Lynch retired from inter-county football at the end of last season while Creggan playmaker Ruairi McCann has stepped away from the Antrim panel in 2025.
Andy McEntee’s squad will be captained by Dermot McAleese of Portglenone.
Peter Healy and Cathal Hynds are two notable injuries at present.
Now in his third season, McEntee will hope Antrim can launch a promotion bid having tailed off in their last two NFL campaigns.
“I think it’s one of the toughest Division Threes in a long while,” McBride said, “and on top of that you’re going to have these new rules…
“To go up you need to win early and our target is to get promoted. This Clare match on Sunday is massive for us. There’s no point in looking at any other game. You could argue Clare are favourites to go back up again.
“Fitness-wise, we’re okay. We’re a hard-working team and if anything we showed last year that we keep going to the end because we were getting beaten well by Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup and won. The way the game is going to be played now will stand by us. We just have to make sure our efficiency is better.”
