Dublin likely to back FRC proposals at Congress

17:06, 21 Jan 2013

Dublin GAA chairman Andy Kettle says that his fellow Congress delegates are likely to back the Football Review Committee's (FRC) proposals to Congress 2013 in Derry.

The motions have yet to be published, but will be drafted from a report released by the FRC before Christmas.

Among their suggestions are the introduction of the 'mark', a countdown clock and the extension of club games from 60 to 70 minutes.

The document also proposed a new disciplinary system, which was amended earlier this month to include the introduction of a black card.

Under the proposed system players shown a black card would have to be automatically substituted and would not be allowed return to the game in an attempt at 'reducing deliberate and cynical fouling and also to increase respect towards referees and fellow players'.

"We haven't discussed it fully yet, but my personal opinion would be that I would see Dublin being in favour of pretty much all of the proposals that were made," said Kettle at today's launch of the Allianz Spring Series.

"We haven't seen the final draft of the card rule as of yet, but I don't see any huge problem there.

"Of the other proposals I think the advancing the ball 30 yards for cynical play is an excellent rule. You probably would see very little of that after three or four games.

"I see the mark as a positive for bringing back the art of high fielding at centre-field. All in all, I think Eugene McGee's committee did a fine job."

Kettle says he has already discussed the proposals with Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin and his hurling counterpart Anthony Daly.

"We have sought the opinions of the clubs through their delegates and we will get opinions from their managers through that route," he admitted.

"I have spoke to Jim and Anthony. Both of them reacted very positively towards the proposed changes."