Jim Gavin has confirmed that changes could be made to football’s new ‘rule enhancements’ even during their trial period.
The Football Review Committee chair said yesterday that there is scope to make alterations to Gaelic football’s radical package during the National Football League – or even mid-Championship – rather than waiting for the competitions to be completed.
While Gavin stressed that ‘the most logical place to make any adjustments or amendments or rescinding of the rules is the break in the National League,’ so that any changes can come in for the Championship, he said ‘everything is up for review’.
Gavin confirmed that changes to the new rules could happen at any time.
‘Theoretically, this could happen after the NFL [round] one or after an All-Ireland semi-final. Now, they’re two extremes and would that happen? Highly, highly [unlikely]. It’s so remote but that could happen, yeah.’
A new Game Intelligence Unit will monitor match data and tactical trends on a round-by-round basis for that reason.
The changes include a two-point scoring arc, restrictions on the goalkeeper taking a pass inside his own half and a rule ensuring teams have at least three outfield players on each side of the halfway line.