Pat Spillane is hopeful the GAA’s new rules can push Gaelic football back to the top of the pile – as he took a dig at the “rugby fellas” and called Ireland’s recent November internationals “challenge games”.
The Football Review Committee (FRC) successfully saw through all of their new rules at the recent Special Congress at Croke Park, meaning Gaelic football will have a total new-look in 2025.
There are plentiful enhancements broadly aimed at encouraging more long-range shooting and expansive attacking play in order to remedy an increasingly defensive-minded spectacle which has been the theme of many games at both club and county level in recent years.
Pat Spillane is hopeful the Football Review Committee’s new rules for Gaelic football will bring positive change. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Spillane called out Tyrone’s approach football over two decades ago when the Red Hands thwarted Kerry in the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final, with his description of their style as “puke football” echoing for years afterwards as defensive football was adopted by more and more teams.
Now, the Kingdom great has described himself as “vindicated” having called for change for some time, and he went on to claim the GAA could reestablish itself as the top sporting organisation in the country as he took a shot at the “rugby fellas” – describing Ireland’s four November Test matches as “challenge games”.
‘I really believe that these new rules will work. I believe in Jim Gavin and his group,’ he wrote in the Sunday World. ‘I am really looking forward to the start of the National League to see the new exciting game that will emerge.
Pat Spillane described Ireland’s November Tests as “challenge games”. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
‘While we are at it, here is a golden opportunity for the GAA to re-establish itself as the number one sporting organisation in the country. And to promote and push our major competitions, our major games and our major stars.
‘Because, let’s be blunt, the GAA has been sitting on its a**e from the point of view of promotion of our games and stars in recent years.
‘Rugby is the darling of the media, enjoying wall-to-wall coverage.
‘In the last month, you couldn’t help but read and hear about the Autumn Nations Series and let’s be blunt again, they are still challenge games, they are not competitive.
‘There is nothing at stake, even if the rugby fellas don’t like to hear it.’
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