Cavan's Gary O'Rourke hopes goalkeeper rule changes are here to stay

Cavan goalkeeper Gary O'Rourke believes the changes to how goalkeepers can operate has made the position a more attractive one to play and he’s hoping to that Football Review Committee don’t row back on the new rules.

The 12 v 11 debate and incorporating the role of goalkeeper will also be closely looked at when the committee meet today with the possibility of the rules being tweaked for the final rounds of the Allianz League.

Although data shows that goalkeepers in Divisions 3 and 4 are not as prominent in opposition halves, the roving keeper has become prominent in the top two tiers.

There have been calls for the role of the goalkeeper as a mobile player to be curtailed, but speaking to RTÉ Sport, O’Rourke feels that the changes to that position have been positive.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about goalkeepers after the first couple of rounds of the league" he said. "Personally, I don't think it's that much different than it had been.

"Maybe there's more keepers coming out and playing, but that role had always been there. Goalkeepers were already coming out - the likes of Niall Morgan and Rory Began; these lads were doing it.

"Now the platform is there, goalkeepers would be encouraged to do it more, whereas before some management sides might not have allowed it and might have wanted a more traditional approach.

"To be fair Ray [Galligan] is happy enough that that while the rule is there, the 12 v 11 is there to be created. You get up and you play that role, and I've tried to embrace it. I think a lot of keepers have tried to embrace it.

"I can only speak personally, but I've enjoyed being out there, being part of the group and trying to make that positive impact any way I can."

If changes are to be made, O’Rourke is