First game of the year in Croke Park and both rules in the spotlight again.
Surely the Donegal goalscorer was in the square as the ball was being handpassed across which if I understand the new rules correctly is not allowed.
Then by way of admission that he got that decision wrong, the referee awards a free to a Kildare player for a Donegal illegal handpass. If it had at least been an illegal handpass, I could forgive the referee, but it was a fine striking action. What really annoys me is that there are several instances of players not handpassing the ball the right way and referees are normally happy to let it go, why all of a sudden decide to penalise a player then? We need some clarity if this rule is going to be implemented for the rest of the year.
Well done to Kildare by the way. Thought they'd let it slip when Donegal started to get a run on them but they managed to close it out. The youngsters must provide Kildare supporters with a lot of hope, I think we'll be hearing a lot more of them. From a Donegal point of view it was an adequate performance. They look like a tired side, possibly the result of a lot of training in a short space of time. Improvement to come no doubt.
Surely the Donegal goalscorer was in the square as the ball was being handpassed across which if I understand the new rules correctly is not allowed.
Then by way of admission that he got that decision wrong, the referee awards a free to a Kildare player for a Donegal illegal handpass. If it had at least been an illegal handpass, I could forgive the referee, but it was a fine striking action. What really annoys me is that there are several instances of players not handpassing the ball the right way and referees are normally happy to let it go, why all of a sudden decide to penalise a player then? We need some clarity if this rule is going to be implemented for the rest of the year.
Well done to Kildare by the way. Thought they'd let it slip when Donegal started to get a run on them but they managed to close it out. The youngsters must provide Kildare supporters with a lot of hope, I think we'll be hearing a lot more of them. From a Donegal point of view it was an adequate performance. They look like a tired side, possibly the result of a lot of training in a short space of time. Improvement to come no doubt.