Kernan confident of changes

The leading representative for intercounty managers, Joe Kernan, is confident new match regulations can be amended before the National League begins in February.

Kernan and five other managers will meet the GAA hierarchy - including president Nickey Brennan and director general Liam Mulvihill - next Monday evening to discuss the laws passed at Central Congress that restrict the touchline to just five specific management members. The manager, doctor, a "runner", physiotherapist and county secretary, or his representative, are to be confined to a rectangular box, similar to what is already used in soccer.

"I think common sense will prevail. We were talking to Croke Park and a full discussion will now take place on Monday," said Kernan. "Both parties want the same thing; for all competitions to run smoothly. I'd be confident when we come together, a resolution can be reached."

Similarly, positive vibes were relayed from Croke Park yesterday with press officer Danny Lynch taking a conciliatory, albeit cautious, approach: "The GAA will consider the views of the managers before making a final decision next week."

About 30 managers held an emergency conference before Christmas but opted against a militant stance, although this seemed on the premise Croke Park would relax the stringent rule that confines team selectors to the stand.

At the time, Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flatharta noted the numerous problems that may ensue: "It will be a huge disruption during a game. The manager will be making his mind up on a change in a game without his selectors on hand. Will there be a separate facility for them? If a manager makes a mistake, he pays a high cost, while his selectors are in the crowd and subject to abuse. We have seen this happening in the last year, so don't be surprised."

Ó Flatharta also baulked at curtailing the manager's right, again like professional soccer, to walk the line. "They are taking the passion out of the game all the time. A manager has always moved up and down the line. I understand soccer and rugby coming into Croke Park but they don't need to bring their rules into our games as well."

Croke Park stated that missives noting the changes had been sent out to county boards but this has been strenuously denied by Kerry County Board chairman Seán Walsh.

"Well in relation to this I can safely say there was no consultation and if there was, we did not get it nor was our thoughts sought. The first we saw of it was when Central Council passed it. We were not consulted on this matter nor was our opinion sought. In fact some of the matters in this document, we are totally opposed to."

Walsh also stated the Kerry intention to ignore the use of neutral water carriers. "I see neutral water-carriers coming back in after we fought to get rid of them for the simple reason they were 16- and 17-year-old kids who were totally inactive on the sideline, when our players wanted water.

"We will not be abiding by it and they can fine us all they want. It appears we will have an added expense to take that chance and be fined. If that is the case we will have to do it, because some of the regulations that have come in over the past few weeks, some of them are ludicrous."

The water-carrier rule may have been sparked by an incident during the All-Ireland quarter-final when Kerry's Paul Galvin was sent off after an incident with Armagh water carrier John Toal.

"I can categorically state we will be using our own water carriers this summer - every other sport does it. It's practical, it works and it has proved to be very beneficial to our player. They get copious supplies of water when they need it - not five minutes later in searing heat. We are not accepting the new regulations on this matter at all and as I said if it costs us so be it. I think others counties would feel the same. It is unworkable . . ."

The managers' delegation also want to overturn the rule that restricts the warm-up on the pitch before throw-in to the starting 15.

That no pre-season competition adopted the new laws may indicate a wavering support for the Central Council decision. Even the failed sin bin experiment of two years ago was introduced to every competition with the exception of Ulster football's McKenna Cup.