The testing of the five new rules during the Dr McKenna Cup has been the topic of discussion for many of late.
But Armagh’s 6-17 to 1-7 drubbing of St Mary’s in Crossmaglen in their Group B opener on Sunday wasn’t a game that told too much about how the rules might affect games.
Armagh’s experiences player Aidan Forker agrees with that sentiment but, just as he stated before the campaign began, he’s still not a fan of all of the proposed changes and how they might impact upon the way the game is played and potentially the results.
“It just can get disjointed at times. You’re always aware and you’re not lifting your head that bit quicker and that can slow the play down a wee bit at times,'' he stated.
“It will take a bit of getting used to that’s for sure.
“Again, it’s hard to know whether they’re going to dictate the results of games given that [Sunday’s game] was fairly one-sided, but listen we just have to take the rules as they are now and try to embrace them and adapt our game to suit,” said Forker who is hoping the review after the pre season competition will change the minds of those that matter before the league.
“In the league you’d have to really start to think about ways and means about getting around it and playing it to your advantage, but listen I hope that common sense prevails, and it doesn’t come to that to be honest.
“I think a couple of the rules could be genuinely looked at, but I think all of them at once is a bit much given the significance of the league,” he said.
As for the match itself, Forker, who came on after half-time and pointed with his first touch, took the positives from Sunday’s fixture despite not learning too much.
“We just came into the game worrying about ourselves and trying to implement the things we’ve been trying in training over the last couple of weeks.
“We did that to an extent and we racked up some good scores, so generally we’re happy,” he said.
“The new players coming in really, really did very well coming forward. We are generally happy with our performance, but we know there will be tougher tests down the line.
“It’s early days and everybody is chomping at the bit, so when it gets hot and heavy and the games are a wee bit tighter, we’ll find out more about ourselves,” he added.
Next up for Armagh is an away tie against Antrim in Corrigan Park on Sunday January 6 and while that should be a sterner test, it’s the Monaghan game after that which should give Armagh a better picture of where they’re at.
“We’re relishing it,” admitted Forker.
“Monaghan proved last year that they’re a top team and that’s where we want to get to.
“It will be a great test for all of us in terms of being in Division 2 now and it will be a great game in helping us to prepare for the league and that’s where our main focus lies to be honest.
“Getting a top four team, as they were last year, down at the Athletic Grounds, that’s where you want to be playing.
“We’re all excited about it, but we’ll be looking at Antrim next that’s for sure.”
