2019 Dr McKenna Cup Section A: Cavan 0-13 Down 1-9
‘THE hand-pass rule killed us.’ The toilets are a fitting place to overhear certain types of post-match analysis and out flowed that moan from a visiting – and losing – supporter.
In truth, old aspects contributed to Cavan’s victory and Down’s defeat more than any of the new rules, in the form of good goalkeeping and poor shooting.
Home number one Raymond Galligan was named ‘man of the match’ for his combination of three converted placed balls and several smart saves to deny Down more goals than the second half penalty converted by Pat Havern.
The new-look Mournemen registered a dozen wides, at least 10 of them very scoreable opportunities, as well as failing to finish off more of their goal chances.
Ironically, new Down manager Paddy Tally seemed less annoyed about the new rules than his Cavan counterpart Mickey Graham, even though the Mournemen were penalised far more often for too many hand-passes.
Tally appeared philosophical about that experimental rule, even though he admitted he’s not a fan:
“Aye, we would have created another couple of chances only for being blown for that. It’s very difficult, it’s hard to change that mindset so quickly, and it’s the first time they’ve played a competitive game with these rules. It’s a natural thing – you see the pass, you give it.
“I don’t know whether it’s the right rule to change – it’s one aspect that I wouldn’t be changing, it takes away the flow.
“You can understand it if you want to move the ball quicker from defence to attack, but I think once you go inside the ‘45’ the hand passes should be let run at that stage….
“Today we were caught four or five times for it but it doesn’t really bother me that much because it’s a sign that we were playing well as a unit. We’re trying to get the boys to play as a group, especially in the forwards, and that will happen if they’re linking and getting combinations going.”
That Down supporter’s complaint was shared by Graham, who pointed out: “You see that final hand-pass to get you inside, and all of a sudden that opportunity is gone. It's frustrating.
“Players are playing within themselves and they are frustrated and wary of that.
I think you saw there in the first half, Down had plenty of men back in defence and we were looking to get those little triangular hand-passes going but we were wary you were only allowed the three hand-passes.
“I think with these rules teams will learn to set up defensively and let teams have it out around the middle of the field.
“To open up defences you have to move the ball quickly and you need to have quick hands, lads coming off the shoulder. You saw today, it was hard to get used to. It is hard for players as it is. They have enough trying to get themselves right than to worry about the rules as well.”
Tally called for a rapid verdict on whether or not the experimental rules will be in place for next year’s major competitions:
“If they do decide to use them for the National League and then not for the Championship, that’s going to be a bigger problem. They’re going to have to make a decision very quickly whether they’re going to run with it or not.
“We have received a communication already, asking for our views at the end of the competition, so we’ll take it from there”.
