Peter Canavan: Rules welcome, but volume doesn't sit well when it comes to club game
Peter Canavan says the new rules in Gaelic football have already improved the spectacle but remains concerned how they will be implemented at club level.
Sunday's Division 1 shoot-out between Kerry and Derry has been offered up by proponents of the rule enhancements of what the future of the game could look like, with more reward for attack and serious consequences for spoiling and defensive tactics.
The two-time All-Ireland winner joined the GAA's Football Review Committee (FRC) last month and is now part of Jim Gavin’s group tasked with assessing the enhancements and offering up tweaks before championship.
Canavan is certain there will be further changes before the race for Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup begins.
"It’s not the finished product," he told the RTÉ GAA podcast.
"There will be tweaks no doubt before the championship starts, but without a doubt it’s for the betterment of the game."
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Canavan acknowledges that while the pressure has been ramped up on match officials to get up to speed with the rules, he is of the view that referees themselves feel it is a necessary short-term pain.
"Whenever you bring in major change, no matter what you are doing, it’s going to be uncomfortable for some people," he said.
"It presents serious challenges for players first of all, and also referees.
"I know from speaking to some referees, they think it is a far better game and going to help them, make it easier, but in the short term it’s not because they have so much to bring on board.
"There is a