Jackie Tyrrell: Time to trial hurling handpass limit

Jackie Tyrrell wants the GAA to trial handpass limits and puckout restrictions to promote more contests for possession in hurling.

"I believe we have the greatest game ever in hurling and I think the level of skill has never been higher," the nine-time All-Ireland winner said on The Saturday Game.

"But I would have slight concerns around the restart of the puckout and the continuous use of the handpass.

"I believe we need to limit the handpass, to maybe two and then a strike pass, and trial it."

'I believe we need to limit the handpass to two handpasses and then a strike' - @MrJackieTee feels hurling needs to look at rule changes around handpasses and the puckout #TheSaturdayGame #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/Ol6tnZM2JU

Chair of the GAA's Standing Committee on the Playing Rules, Professor David Hassan, told the Irish Times this week that the average number of handpasses in hurling had increased by 40% since 2018 to 99 per game while 30% of all puckouts were now going to a defensive player inside the 45-metre line.

"We're four or five years behind football and following a trend, possession is so important now," said Tyrell.

"Very like football, we see teams playing across the middle of the field. I think hurling is following that.

"You see Limerick, they are systematic and you have to applaud them, they hold on to the ball and they give it at the right time."

"I also believe the puckout should have to travel beyond the 45 before it can be contested by the pucking out team.

"We're losing the flow of the game and we're losing the high catch. They are skills of the game that need to be harnessed and protected."