O'Donovan fears media debate on handpass will disappear

Two-time All-Ireland winning full-back Conor O'Donovan hopes that a motion seeking to redefine the hurling handpass can make it to GAA Congress in the near future.

Former Tipperary star O'Donovan has long since been an advocate for the redefinition of the handpass in hurling and expects that while there is currently a focus on the area, it will reduce during the summer.

Speaking to RTE Sport, he said: "A lot will depend on media coverage of this issue.

"But my fear is that the focus will die off during the season if referees stop blowing for illegal handpasses. I get the feeling that people feel it's alright in some instances to throw the ball if it keeps the game flowing, or if the ref is not sure.

"I don’t see many analysts out there who are clearly 'anti-throwing’ either so my fear is it will just continue to be penalised only here and there in games. There will be no consistency and it will be hard on referees.

"But what is happening with handpassing is a blight on the game and should not be tolerated.

"I think there’s a lot of support for change, to eradicate illegal handpassing, and I would still hope a motion for change can be adapted and make its way to a Congress floor in the near future."

The Nenagh Eire Og man specifically wants the handpass to be redefined so that it would be a foul to 'handpass the ball or palm the ball directly from the same hand that is holding the ball'.

"I’m trying to highlight something that is wrong and offer solutions.

"I think as it stands the handpass is not policeable. In my opinion, continuous illegal handpassing is also having an effect in causing more rucks and high tackles. I think they are all associated," he adds.

"There would be greater definition for everyone if the rule to handpass