Despite what looked like an all-round successful first outing for the new rules in this weekend's first round of the Allianz National Football League, one of the new edicts has come under scrutiny as managers question if it provides an unfair advantage for attacking teams.
The 'three-up, three-back' rule which insists teams keep at least three players in each half throughout the game is designed to open up space and allow sides to indulge in more free-flowing football. Thus far, it appears to have merit.
However, when coupled with the rule that continues to allow goalkeepers move into the opposing half of the field and join in the attack, some feel the resulting 12-v-11 situation is an unfair by-product of a well intentioned rule change.
"I'm not sure it leads to the objective we're trying to get," Ciarán Whelan reckoned on RTÉ Sport's League Sunday highlights show. "I think it's one for 'work in progress'."
His fellow panelist, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, who of course is a member of the Football Review Committee, suggested: "Let's see how it plays out... it is trying to incentivise teams to push up in the opposition's hands.
"I get the complaints, I get why people might be dissatisfied with it... but it is only week one, let's see how it goes."
Watch the full debate below.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐲 [𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫] 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) January 26, 2025
With counties using their last line of defence to overload the attack at the other end of the field - does the '3Up-3Back' rule need another look?#RTEgaa
📺 Watch League Sunday on RTÉ2 & RTÉplayer pic.twitter.com/kcDXxWtGVC
