Proposed goalkeeper rule needs rethink says Scotstown boss

By Niall Gartland

WITH Rory Beggan no doubt at the forefront of his mind, Scotstown manager David McCague isn’t fussed about the proposed new rule change that will impact the goalkeeper’s role in the modern game.

One of the rules proposed by the Football Review Committee stipulates that goalkeepers can only receive the ball from a teammate if they’re both inside the large rectangle or if the goalkeeper has advanced beyond their own 65-yard line.

McCague argues that it’s a ‘wee bit discriminatory’ against attack-minded goalkeepers, though he also recognises the flipside that that another mooted change – that number of defending players in a team’s half will be limited to 11 – could allow goalkeepers like Beggan to flourish.

Speaking ahead of their Ulster Championship quarter-final clash against Fermanagh representatives Erne Gaels, pushed back to Saturday week, McCague gave his take on the radical new changes, which were trialled in a recent Interprovincial series.

“I can see the reason for them. There’s a couple I would like to see introduced, but I think if you’re a goalkeeper it could be a wee bit discriminatory in that he can’t play any football in his own half – he’s (Beggan) a footballer at the end of the day.

“I think they could be a bit more adventurous in terms of what they do with that part, and it’s also going to lead to a situation on the other side of the field where it’s a 12 v 11 scenario, which could be a bit discriminatory against defenders.”

All the other proposed new rules will go forward to the Special Congress on November 30 when a decision will be taken on whether to adopt them for the 2025 season, and it’s expected that a number will be given the seal of approval. McCague says that the Football Review Committee, headed up by former Dublin boss Jim Gavin, deserve respect for their efforts.

“It’s not perfect but I do admire the ambition and diligence of the committee to be innovative in terms of these rules. I’m looking forward to seeing them in action though so far all my focus is on dealing with the present rules and how we can be the best we can be under those conditions.”