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https://www.thejournal.ie/shane-flanagan-garda-6748544-Jun2025/?utm_source=twitter_short

I don't think too many number 2's (who have been number 2's for a long time) have done exceptionally well when moved on...

I'm not talking about turds by the way

Martinez?

I'm still not sold that it was a foul. Watched live and then watched the replay and for me Soupy overcarries and is looking the free. That said, I've seen them given but for me ref got it right, and got most big calls right.

Yeah I would agree with that. Went looking the free when he had run out of road.

I think what most people are looking for is the one where 6/7/8 + steps are taken get called consistently. It's going to be very difficult to call in real time if a player played the ball on his 4th step or his 5th step.

What seems mad to me is that we have had the 4 steps rule for as long as I remember and it has rarely been enforced. Then out of the blue mid-championship Gough decides to enforce it completely differently than they ever have. I'm all for being stricter on it, but surely this should have been something that was brought in with the new rules from the start of the year as well.

I think Goughs performance yesterday highlights the main issue I have with the new rules, they have made the game MORE difficult to officiate, even for the top referees.
He had a horrible 10 min spell in the second half where he made so many controversial decisions.( For and against both sides)

To be fair they said during the week that they would be enforcing 4 steps and as a former defender I think it's great!

For too long forwards have taken too much out of the ball and. Or given defenders a chance to tackle so hopefully this is the start of it being reffed properly.

Every overcarrying decision yesterday was the correct one!

I have been calling for it to be enforced properly for years, my point is why wasn't this brought in with the other enhancements at the start of the year rather than mid championship for the biggest game of the year so far?
We had a game last week were a player scores a decisive goal taking about 10 steps and then a week later players are getting blown on the 4th step?

What seems mad to me is that we have had the 4 steps rule for as long as I remember and it has rarely been enforced. Then out of the blue mid-championship Gough decides to enforce it completely differently than they ever have. I'm all for being stricter on it, but surely this should have been something that was brought in with the new rules from the start of the year as well.

I think Goughs performance yesterday highlights the main issue I have with the new rules, they have made the game MORE difficult to officiate, even for the top referees.
He had a horrible 10 min spell in the second half where he made so many controversial decisions.( For and against both sides)

Watching Your friends & Neighbours on Apple, first episode pretty good

Jon Hamm is always a good watch regardless, but that was a fun start. Hope it keeps it up.

Enjoyed the first one as well.

Anyone having issues with Foireann today? The set seems a real sh1tshow tonight 

If the player breaking the 3 up rule isn't materially affecting the play (getting on the ball, putting in tackle marking a man that would otherwise be available) , then does it really matter? If he is , then the ref will see it and blow it. I don't expect refs to catch every single time a player wrongly sets foot over the line.

A Complete Unknown... portrayal of Bob Dylan's rise to fame. Excellent. Great music and Timothée Chalamet brilliant in the lead role. Edward Norton as Pete Seeger is quite something too... seems to be very accurate. Woodie Gutherie sad role in it but he sure inspired Dylan, Springsteen.. Anyway highly recommend. In cinemas...

Can't disagree with all of that. Well worth a watch.

It leaned heavily into the performance of his hits. I'd maybe have liked a little more time on the man, his personal life etc. Small gripe. Still a great show

+1 , really enjoyed it as well

Huge controversy at the end of Tyrone game with the 3 up infringement being called to allow Walsh the opportunity to equalise. Was listening to Galway Bay fm and they were as confused as anything.

Wed a man black carded who came on for last play. As far as I can make out he came on after the last free kick was called. Tyrone were adjudged to have broken 3 up as they were now returned to 15 men. However, the ball wasn't back in play by my reckoning as the free kick hadn't been hit. So can the ref call the 3 men up infraction? This allowed Walsh the option to take the ball out for 2 points.

Furthermore, on rte radio they said the ref made the call as a Galway backroom member came on to the field of play to tell him.

This is my reading of it listening to very mixed up and confusing radio broadcast. Could have a huge bearing If that cost point relegated us.

He had already been on for the play previous. Even Malachy wasn't complaining about the decision, he just said it was a mistake by his men

Tyrone availed of one earlier where Walsh stepped a foot across. Supposedly under the new guidance that's to be given as a free from the spot rather than in front of the goal but Tyrone got a two pointer from it. It is what it is

Cawley had an absolute shocker overall though. Some bizarre frees given.

This part of the rule change seems unnecessarily messy. I really don't like being able to pull those frees back to kick a two pointer for a technical offence like that. The punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime at all

Tyrone sure know how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Thought the ref gifted Kerry a lot when down to 13 tbf.  Some soft frees, not moving the ball forward when they showed dissent and probably should've had another sending off

Agree with that. Ultimately cane down to Tyrone not killing them off when they had the extra men and 5 points up but thought the ref was really poor.

Of the Tyrone 15, I'd say only Morgan, McKernan, Kennedy, McCurry and Mattie Donnelly are nailed on starters. The rest had a season of senior football or are in and out of the team. It was an encouraging performance, especially with Morgan looking like he can give Tyrone such an advantage and so many more to come back and drier ground should also suit Tyrone. 

I'm not even sure McCurry is nailed on.
Will be great competition between him R. Canavan, Bradley, mcelhome etc.
Darragh and Mattie the only two nailed on forwards id say

Don't think it's a red either..would give the defender the benefit of the doubt there. In slow mo I think it makes it look worse than it was

[and set the ball down and move on...]

To be fair, I'm fairly tolerant, but every ref is different with regards to how people speak to them. So take that 'excuse' away from him altogether and set the ball down and move on...

Think as ex players/supporters/managers and so on most ref's understand that if a player 'asks' why the free was given the ref will explain, either verbally or demonstrate by actions what the free was given for, its the second or third time when questioning the reason that is a pain in the arse and that would or should be the reason why its brought forward.

The only game I have done this year I warned a lad 2 times and said that the next time he gives off I'll be moving the ball forward. This is a bedding in period for everyone, the players and management will make as many mistakes than the ref.

And I suppose the mood of the ref will determine things to, they aint robots 

I'm fairly vocal in my games, and usually right on top of play so generally speech playing with the players, saying 'all good' 'play on' 'no foul, get up' and so on.

It'll be the cut and thrust of championship when things will be really on the line that will be the most difficult, regardless of refs being mic'd up and plenty of officials at hand

Surely if a player does that the ball will be moved forward MR2?

Ball has to be handed back directly to the player or has that been changed?

It does, but I've a feeling most refs won't have any issues with it being set down quickly and move away from play, not sure how practical that will be as the ball could be anywhere after a free is given

Which is the way it should be IMO, but why is it not in the rules that way then? Why complicate things by making them ' hand it back'? Deliberate obstruction or slowing down the play, then absolutely move it forward but the rule as written seems OTT