STEVEN POACHER: A whole new ball game

ALL eyes on the league this weekend as the competitive action for 2025 begins, or should I say all eyes on the referees.

Of course I am referring to the new rules which are sure to create many talking points after the opening weekend.

What should supporters expect? A lot of the unknown, I would say.

There’ll be a lot of decisions that will be frustrating for supporters. Teams are still trying to adapt to the new rules, particularly the three-up, and I’m hearing there’s been some games where there’s been six or seven infractions and the game stops and everyone’s looking around wondering what’s happened.

You’ve a fair idea on the field what’s happening but I don’t think supporters will know.

But certainly what they’ll probably find is a completely new hybrid version of the game, and a game that’s probably not very familiar.

With Leitrim, we have played four or five challenge games to prepare, the same as everyone else.

We had to respect the training ban, we didn’t get playing any games until January. But the games we have played, there’s been a lot of new rules that you’re trying to see if you can work them to your advantage.

There are rules that are slightly frustrating for players and management but you just have to respect that they’re in now and you have to get on with it.

There are a few rules I like, I like the solo and go. I like the dissent rule because it probably puts a button on everyone’s lips. It makes it a lot easier for referees.

It’s going to take referees a long time as well to adjust to the new rules though. They’re the ones who have to adapt the quickest.

One of the fascinating things for me, not only as a manager involved but as a coach always willing to learn, is how teams will adapt.

My neighbours up the road come in as All-Ireland champions and I’ve heard people say the rules may hamper them, but I think that is doing them a massive disservice.

The middle eight are going to be very athletic and a team like Armagh, who are very well-conditioned, it will suit them because they’ve a lot of quality to come in to replace lads in that middle eight who have run hard for 40 or 50 minutes.

So it will certainly suit well-conditioned teams and teams that have three good forwards up front. They’re going to maybe get a bit more space and time, but listen it will take time to adjust and adapt. It will be a strange game for everyone at the weekend.

Of course, it’s just not counties trying to work things out and club managers up and down the country have had busier pre-season preparations than normal as they try and arm themselves with the knowledge to pass onto their squads.

Personally I wouldn’t be giving out too much advice, I’d be looking for plenty – it’s going to be a slow burner, I’m looking to our own game this weekend against Laois but I’m also looking forward to seeing other teams play as well, to see what they’re going to bring.

Everyone’s looking at the great innovators like Jim McGuinness and Malachy O’Rourke and seeing what they’re going to bring to the table differently, if they bring anything different.

Some teams will use their goalkeepers as a 12th man, kick-out strategies are going to be very interesting, teams probably won’t be able to get away short kick-outs as the arc is so big and allows teams to press a bit more.

So that’s changed a lot and it’s basically a new game. All eyes on the rules then.