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Clare manager Mick O'Dwyer. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
FRC

Micko backs GAA plans for black card, the mark and pick-up rule

The Clare boss has also spoken about having a physical trainer as part of his setup for the first time in his managerial career.

MICK O’DWYER HAS revealed that he would accept the GAA’s new black card proposal after previously labelling the yellow card rule ‘a joke’.

The legendary Gaelic football manager, who is in now at the helm of Clare for his first year, has spoken on some of the new rulings that may be passed at Congress in March.

And the black card rule, which is being put forward by the FRC, has found favor with O’Dwyer along with the introduction of the mark and an amendment to the pick-up.

But the former All-Ireland winning boss has called for a halt to major tinkering with the game.

“I think the game is good, I don’t think it needs that much changes to be honest. Maybe we’re making too many changes to the game.

“Every year we’re making changes and it’s making it hard for referees, making it hard for everybody. So let’s make changes and let them have at least three or four years and see how they’ll go.

“I’m in favour of it (the mark). It’s great to see fellas going up and catching the ball. That’s my opinion and I’ll stick by it.

“I think it’s great to see fellas going climbing up for the ball catching. Because now when he lands on the ground, and he has it caught, there’s about seven or eight around him and that’s not good for the game.

“The pick-up, I’d be wondering about that. That would certainly improve the game because at a vital stage in a game, the referee might blow for a ball that could be doubtful enough whereas if you can pick the ball up.

“The clock is good as well, and I’d like to see that too. I would accept the black card too.”

O’Dwyer, who begins his Allianz Division 4 Football League campaign with Clare against Waterford on February 3rd, this year has a physical trainer in his squad for the first time.

Michael Cahill, who previously worked under former Banner boss Micheal McDermott, has stayed on board. It marks a departure for O’Dwyer in his training methods as he had been famed for sessions revolving around players running laps.

“Well, we’re going with the modern stuff that’s going now and we’ll see how it works. I think this fella Michael Cahill looks pretty good, he’s doing a great job there. The day of the laps they tell me are gone! I’d like to be running fellas all the time, to tell you the truth, if I had my way.

“Fitness now, is most important in the game but I want to see more football being played in any training session that you do so I hope we’ll have plenty of football when the spring time comes.”

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