Ulster Championship 2025

[Main Street]

Once the ball is struck it can be blocked by any part of the body regardless of any present danger to both players, except of course the feet cannot be used under any circumstances even in totally harmless situations.

[David McKeown]

I thought he was at the inner D when he kicked it? As he didn't appeal at all.

No his back heel seems to be just touching the outer d. At least it clearly is as the ball is dropping the camera zooms in as contact is made so it's not 100% clear and his momentum takes him inside which is probably why he doesn't appeal

[bennydorano]

Watching the Rafferty incident again - I'm wondering why did he come storming out of nets in the first place looking the ball if he couldn't take it as a direct pass? That was stupid and could have ended so badly.

[Milltown Row2]

Is there an image of the heel on the arc? Was ref'ing so never seen the games yesterday

[marty34]

Ulster final won't be in Croker. Donegal not keen on it.

Can a county say no and refuse to play final in a certain venue?

[David McKeown]

Is there an image of the heel on the arc? Was ref'ing so never seen the games yesterday

I have one but I don't know how to share it

[imtommygunn]

I don't understand how anyone thinks that last free wasn't a free. It was as blatant as they come.

[blewuporstuffed]

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)

[tyrone08]

I don't understand how anyone thinks that last free wasn't a free. It was as blatant as they come.

Was 100% a free. Only issue i had with gough was Rafferty taking out darragh which went unpunished.

[Rossfan]

Last free was very obviously a foul.

David doesn't like the new rules but admits they make for more exciting viewing (on TV!?).
So they've done what they were introduced for.

I'm able to enjoy watching games as a neutral again.

Now if only our lads can shape up....

[flowerpot]

I thought he was at the inner D when he kicked it? As he didn't appeal at all.

There's no appeals accept it or give away a possible 2 points, Gough showed yesterday refs now have been given carte blance in matches without fear of anyone on or off the field questioning them, he has some abysmal calls yesterday no doubt get an All Ireland though, shocking they are now King makers.

[David McKeown]

Last free was very obviously a foul.

David doesn't like the new rules but admits they make for more exciting viewing (on TV!?).
So they've done what they were introduced for.

I'm able to enjoy watching games as a neutral again.

Now if only our lads can shape up....

Yes this was a point I think I made from the start. There seems to be a real divergence between those who only attend games versus those who primarily watch on TV. During the league I was mainly attending matches and wouldn't watch them back again after. At games I think all the issues with the rules are laid bare. On tv they aren't as obvious.

I have two brothers who are avid football fans. One only attends matches and despises the rules. One is only able to watch the matches on TV and adores them. I don't think that's a coincidence.

That said my view remains. If the changes to the rules was to improve the quality of the game they aren't good. If they were to improve it for TV they seem to be.

[screenexile]

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!

[blewuporstuffed]

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?

[David McKeown]

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?

My issue is it's not consistent which leads to frustration. Gough missed plenty of clear over carries yesterday. Particularly one that should have been a penalty. Morgan taking 8 steps just before his booking.

That said we aren't going to get perfection