A whole new ball game for ladies footballers

It’s a whole new ball game for the Kildare ladies footballers when they begin their National League campaign away to Cork on Sunday in the Munster Technological University as it’s their first competitive game since the trialling of 12 rule enhancements was confirmed.

Half of the rules we are all very familiar with as they echo what we have seen in the men’s game over the last 12 months - the kickout mark, the two-point scoring arc, the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times, the solo and go, and frees being brought forward for tactical fouling or dissent from the sideline.

The six other rule changes look specifically at current LGFA rules, including those related to the tackle. While the change to the tackle rule does not allow for full physicality, there will be more contact allowed.

Previously, a player could only tackle when the ball was out from the body and using the open hand or hands. This has been altered to allow a player to tackle the ball even if it is in the body, but they still must use the open hand or hands, and the initial contact must be with the ball.

Also, there previously was a rule stating there shall be no deliberate body contact, and this new enhancement will permit a player to use her body to fairly contest possession of the ball, provided the challenge does not involve excessive force.

The shoulder charge is still not permitted.

These rule enhancements will be reviewed after the first three rounds of the league and they have been warmly received by the players, although Eadestown and Kildare’s Hazel McLoughlin said there will be an adjustment period, for players and referees.

“There’s loads of getting used to it,” she said.

“I guess seeing them coming in for men’s game and seeing them on telly and going to some of the games is a big help. We’ve got to see what works for them and maybe what doesn’t work. We’ve had loads of chances to try them out in training, we’ve had loads of challenge games. It’s gone really well so far. It’s definitely speeding up the game and giving athletic players the chance to get forward, and also get back.

“I think it’s good to bring up the physicality of the game. It’s been going well so far in the challenge games. We’ve been working hard with the S&C team here and the physicality has definitely gone up a notch,” she added.

McLoughlin’s Eadestown clubmate Ruth Sargent is pleased that suggestions from the players have been taken on board by the powers that be.

“It’s nice to know that they have listened to us. We were the ones asking for more physicality and they have changed the rules to allow for that so it’s nice to know they were listening to what we asked for,” she said.

As somebody who will be at the heart of the Kildare defence, Sargent said communication will be vital in ensuring they don’t fall foul of the three up rule.

“As we go through the league we’ll find out more with different teams. One we all love is the solo and go, you’ve probably seen that in the mens game too. The three up and three back is a key one but it probably just goes down to communication and it’s definitely one we’ve been working on. Communication is behind everything. We are probably excited to get going now and seeing how all the teams get on with the new rules,” she said.

McLoughlin, who is back fully fit after two injury hit seasons, said that players will have to take their time to get used to all the changes.

“I think it will take time, we’re all learning and the referees are all learning to so that block of three league games in a row will be a good chance for both ourselves and the referees to learn and we regroup again and hear what we both have to say,” she said.