David Gough: Hands are tied around language of proposed rules

Inter-county referee David Gough believes "his hands are tied around the language" of the proposed football rule changes that will go before a special GAA Congress on 30 November.

Last month, the GAA's Central Council approved the Football Review Committee's new rules to be voted upon in a fortnight's time.

The Jim Gavin-led FRC made two small changes to the proposed rules, with four points for a goal and two points for a 45 both dropped.

Whatever gets through the special congress will be in for a trial period across club and county in 2025.

Central Countil can amend or rescind any rule changes made by the special congress if a motion is submitted by the GAA's management committee, a 15-person committee chaired by GAA president Jarlath Burns, the four provincial chairpersons and other elected and appointed representatives.

In all, there are about 50 motions pertaining to the rule changes, and it's the way in which the rules are presented which most irks Gough.

He outlined his views on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport, following on from a recent meeting of the senior referees' group, and said: "On 8 November, the GAA disseminated the Football Review Committee's motions and recommendations to the national referees' panel in advance of a meeting last Monday night.

"When I read down through the 50 different motions that were in this 28-page document I foind it shocking to see the manner in which the rules were written, the language, the lack of clarity in the motions that are going forward. The motions are going to be put forward in groupings, are all inter-linked and rely on each other and won't be debated individually.

"I was astounded, even though I have no issue with what the FRC have done insofar to their enhancements in how they