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Let us know when you've the wiki page up - that text on the programme is too small for my the failing eyesight!!

[2-point arc]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

Completely agree with everything.

Me too, I'd just add my pet bugbear on the getting rid of all 2 pt frees and we're laughing!

I think ballinderry won in 1996 and 1997?

Define "working"? Higher scoring? I would much prefer a few scores came off the board if it meant we saw fewer nonsense tap over frees for incidents or technical fouls that occurred half a mile away.

"Working" as in adult football has gone from being one of the most boring sports on this earth, to being very entertaining.

Nothing to do with an increase in scoring. Everything to do with the fact that positivity is being rewarded, or perhaps just that negative possession football provides so few advantages compared to a year ago.


EDIT: there's a fascination among Gaels for focusing on aspects of the game that could be improved. It's always been there I suppose, hence rule changes and adaptations every year since forever.

But my basic, core point about the rule changes is this: when put together as a group they've increased entertainment value by tenfold. So people should, for now, focus on the positives. Over the coming years, coaches will find ways to abuse the rules to their own advantage, and they'll need tweaked. But one thing we really don't need - for now - is cherrypicking a handful of rules to change based on what you think ideal football should be. We had ideal (or nearly ideal) football in the noughties, then Jimmy and Co destroyed the game. Devising / relaxing rules to take us back to re-enable those ideal football conditions probably won't have the outcome you're wishing for.  For Jimmy and Co are ready to pounce and destroy our game again. They can't help themselves.

The current rules are on trial until October, whatever is decided in October will be in place for the next 5 years - I think we'd all be remiss if we weren't thinking about what tweaks can be made to the new rules that will enhance the game even further, be that simple changes that make refereeing it easier or tweaks to make it less demanding on players, more enjoyable for players or even attempt to close off in advance, potential for coaches to game the rules as we know they will (it's their job in fairness).

Meath behind Derry and Down . Would you go away out of that

What was your quote the other day, something about Armagh and Donegal being good, but not at the top table and a long way behind Kerry, Galway and Dublin? I only noted it as it was a pretty unique viewpoint!!
Meath have come on massively since a few of those limp championship performances over the past few years and it was fantastic to see them beat the dubs, but I'd not want to call a game between them and down and on all evidence to date, I'd be happy with the draw of Derry progressed and drew them.
If they can give Kerry a game, or even a much better game than last year, then maybe we'll reevaluate, but until then....

Where has this rush to annoint Rian as the best player in the country come from ffs? And I don't mean "from Armagh".

Agree, he didnt do much v Derry in his first game back as was to be expected. Last year he won an all star but was no where near poty. What has he done to be now challenging Clifford. Based on a couple of 2 pointers v thr Dubs. Very good player but feels premature.

Meath behind Derry and Down . Would you go away out of that

I'd be fairly confident that Derry with their squad from the weekend would beat anyone below them and I'd fancy us to beat Monaghan, Tyrone and Mayo too. Issue is we only get to play the top 4 teams every week.

Rian was my player of the year last year - he single handedly dragged Armagh past Kerry imo in the outstanding performance of the year. True generational talent when he's in the mood.

Keep the 2 pointer but only for scores from play.

This will only encourage more frees outside the arc to prevent attempts of 2 pointers from play

I don't think that would happen, but if it did, surely the ref can take appropriate action in terms of additional disciplinary actions, cards etc, to stamp it out straight away?
In any case, there's probably little advantage in fouling as the maths would probably give a one point free from around arc line an expected value very similar to a 2pt shot from play. When Rory beggan scores 38 pts during a league campaign, it tells you something is off....

When college basketball introduced the 3 point shot it was made clear that a player fouled while attempting a 3 pointer would get three free throws.  I do not know if anyone at the NCAA suggested one 3 point shot from the spot of the foul(rather than free throws) however I am certain that no one suggested that fouls taking place inside the 3 point line could be moved outside and the best shooter could then attempt a 3 point shot.

Sounds ridiculous, yet that is exactly what the FRC has created for Gaelic football.  If the free can be moved from the spot of the foul outside the arc then why not allow the option of moving it to the penalty spot for a goal attempt?  I know that's ridiculous too but it is basically the same logic.

When we move into the knockout stage of the championship, I fear the FRC is asking for trouble.  Some ugly controversy that may taint the entire championship.  Roving frees, based on referee judgement calls and other violations which award a 2 point attempt, may end up leaving half the fans feeling cheated.

I do not understand what value the 2 pointer adds to the game when we are flirting with potential negative consequences.  Given the offensive domination we've seen this year, abolishing the 2 pointer is the least the FRC should do to bring back some balance to the game.

I have concerns around the impact the 2-pointer will have, but I'm definitely coming round to 2-pointers from play.
But to clarify - you can't move a ball back outside the arc for a foul which has taken place inside the arc. What actually happens is that when a 3-up, midfield mark or dissent transgression occurs and the ref can move it forward by 50 yds, the team awarded the free choose not to take it forward the entire 50 yds, but instead take it to the edge of the arc, where the more difficult kick is now worth 2 points.

Didn't think Joe covered himself in glory today, wouldn't go as far as saying he ruined the game, but he didn't help it.

The second half was awful fayre for a spectator - dull, no flow, no excitement or intensity, no goal chances, just 3-up breaches, crappy frees and appalling shooting.
All that said, Armagh impressed, did what was needed and always looked like they could move up a gear if needed.

Re the 3-up breach, could linesmen maybe signal it with a flag, different colours for accidental v deliberate as from a spectator p.o.v in a stadium like croker, we've no idea what's going on - we just see Joe grab the ball and run to the other end of the pitch.

Con O'Callaghan ruled out for Dublin.

Does that mean Con is definitely out or can a player still be brought into the 26?

It's nuts - if not on the 26, tough unless a special medical exemption is obtained cos of an outbreak of sickness or something. Dessie is one of the worst in the country for this shite. I'm sure his old na fianna teammate will be well aware...

There is 4 replacements. If on that list can play.

Con O'Callaghan ruled out for Dublin.

Does that mean Con is definitely out or can a player still be brought into the 26?

How many supporters did Derry have there yesterday? I was behind the left goals and I say it would been near 50+ to 1 supporters in that end.

Difficult to say. Certainly more than the League game v Armagh. But that was a pitiful crowd.

Was in the covered terrace close to the Niall's Crescent end. There was only a small handful in that area.

In fairness, I was surprised that they allowed free movement between the terraced areas. I thought the tickets were set for specific locations - and stile entry.

I was sitting in the same part of the ground too and bar the 3 or 4 sitting behind me, I didn't see or hear many other Derry fans about me.

The same fans that weren't at either game in the athletic grounds this year, will be the ones in early to the Galway game this weekend and putting their coats down on the decent seats to keep them for others.

Who cares if they were there last week or not, I'd be delighted if we got a good partisan crowd at the game, but I'd have thought we'd struggle to get more than 8,000 odd??
I really think this is our big chance to turn things around. We don't have the squad to win an all Ireland, but we can win this and hopefully go through and get another quarter final. The more we get into Celtic park this Sunday the better.

Jeopardy is finishing 2nd or 3rd.
Anyway there's a new system hext year.

That's it in a nutshell, win your games and get the rewards.

Unfortunately we're taking a backward step next year, hopefully not for too long though.
The biggest problem with the current system is the seeding that losing provincial finalists get. Seed the winners and all other seeds should be on the basis of league rankings and we've got a pretty equitable system.

No Murray a massive miss, lad always injured. M Bradley not there either. Is Murphy injured or not on the panel anymore? Some Derrys best young footballers always seem to be long term injured, when if fit and a no.of games behind them, McWilliams and M Downey be on that panel. Take it Gilmore out for the year, as McCloskey and Lynch. Panel got very young on it, just Rodgers and McFaul over the 30 mark.

Maybe we're setting up the ambush of Galway the following week?
Hard to see us getting within double digits of that Armagh side, literally men against boys!

Back to the football sure. 

I reckon this is a tough game for Armagh to begin with.  Pressure is on them to secure a result, as on paper, this is probably the only one were they would be out and out favorites. 

Having beat Derry convincingly twice in the past 12 months, Derry in theory should be chomping at the bit to get at Armagh and try and restore some pride. 

Realistically, it may be the only game where they could secure a result also.  Although its the first of three games, its probably the most important for both.   

 

I'd disagree that this is our best chance of getting a result, I'd be reasonably hopeful we can raise a good performance in Celtic park against our bogey team Galway, which might put the pre-dublin game all Ireland favs almost out of the competition.

It's hard to see us improving to the degree needed to get anything from this Armagh game though, and if we don't, as others have noted, if we lose our first two, the Dublin game is a dead rubber.