Éamonn Fitzmaurice: We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We can't miss the boat.

I attended plenty of games during the 2024 season - school, club and inter-county - and I saw very little to change my mind, with the Kerry v Derry All-Ireland quarter final being a personal nadir. Some were more enjoyable than others but most of the games were played in a broadly similar fashion. Same style attacks, same style defence. Match after match had the same patterns. Group think prevailed, as strait-jacket coaching dominated. Naturally teams had particular (often personnel-based) subtleties to their approach. The unique styles associated with different counties have disappeared. 

Styles make fights and unfortunately we were getting the same fight on loop. That is one of the things that excites me most about the proposed enhancements. When our players and coaches get stuck into them there is massive room for innovation. More ambitious decision-making will be reintroduced into the game and with that a spirit of adventure. Our players have never been as well conditioned or as skilful. Let’s give them the canvas to play and express themselves, not repeatedly paint by numbers based on metrics.

As a member of the FRC, more and more people wanted to talk to me as the season progressed around the rules and possible adjustments. While I was hit with a wide variety of ideas there was a universal consensus that the game had to change. Not one person said to me don’t touch it, it’s fine. There are many idiosyncrasies in the GAA but the opportunity to change the rules happens once every five years, in years divisible by five, hence 2025. The next opportunity will be in 2030. Imagine if as an organisation we don’t intervene. If we continue on the same path it is worrying to imagine where we will end up.

A critical point on the proposed rule enhancements that hasn’t been widely commented on is the fact that they are experimental. The incredibly successful animation company Pixar (Toy Story, Cars, Finding Nemo etc) value experimental mistakes as they reckon that without them there is no creativity. And our game needs some creativity. As a group we can recommend that the rule enhancements be adjusted mid or post league. If major unanticipated issues emerge, there is space to amend or withdraw enhancements. By the time championship roars over the horizon many of the kinks should be ironed out. 

At the end of next season they will be voted into rule permanently or not. As a group we are in no way precious about any of the enhancements. If they work great, if they don’t, get rid of them. By having trialled them for a full season it should be obvious to all of us what works and what doesn’t. We will be talking about facts rather than aspirations or concerns. This removes a leap of faith from the equation. Of course, none of us can say with certainty, but from being on the inside I am confident and excited about what could emerge in 2025.

There has been a fair amount of chatter around the possible challenges around implementing the enhancements at club level. I think we have to try. The club is the bedrock of our association and if the enhancements pan out as I anticipate the club players will be disgusted if left behind. 

Next March, Kerry are hosting All-Ireland champions Armagh in Tralee for a huge Saturday night match. Imagine a scenario where a club player attends that game and witnesses the new enhancements (if passed this Saturday) and then has to play the ‘old’ slow and ponderous game in a club match the following day. It would be in equal parts dispiriting and frustrating. We can’t be limited by perceived obstacles such as challenges around lining the field or a worry that referees will not be able to handle it. Of course, there will be an adaption phase. 

There will be mistakes (there always will be, we are all human) but by the time clubs are playing championship next Autumn those issues should be rectified. The 50 metre dissent penalty is a game-changer. The referee will no longer have to deal with nearly every decision being contested. Simply, it hurts the offending team too much. It will happen a few times early on but will be discussed within the group and it will be eliminated from the game. Referees will enjoy reffing the games and will be able to focus on the football. Younger referees will be encouraged and get involved. Let’s look at the possibilities as well as the issues.

Ultimately we can’t miss the boat. We can’t have another five years of the status quo. Where will we be in 2030 if we do? Let’s have a go. Let’s trial them. The ones that don’t work, tweak or withdraw them altogether. Inertia doesn’t bear thinking about. Another season of grousing and disappointment with the added frustration we let a golden opportunity of change slip through our fingers. I’m convinced if adopted tomorrow we will have an electrifying season of entertaining football ahead, with the largest group of contenders in an age all fancying their chances of winning the All-Ireland.