Minor footballers to open Leinster MFL against Cork

Thu, 11th February 2016

Dublin’s minor footballers open their Leinster MFL campaign with a clash against Cork this Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park (1.0).

Paddy Christie’s Dubs are grouped with Cork, Wexford and Kildare and have games coming up quick and fast over the next three weekends (away to Wexford, home to Kildare).

The top team from the group progress to the semi-finals.

A number of experimental rules are being utilised in this year’s tournament (see below).

The Dublin management team is Paddy Christie, Ciarán Whelan, James Glancy, Brian O’Regan and Paul O’Brien.

While Dublin have some injury concerns at the moment they have played a number of recent challenge games against UCD Freshers, Sligo, Laois and Wicklow.

Leinster GAA Minor Football League 2016 Experimental Rules

1.Only 3 consecutive hand passes will be allowed while a team maintains possession before the ball must be kicked.

The count restarts only after the following events:

The football is kicked

The opposition gathers possession

The football crosses the end line or side line

A free is blown

The football comes back into play from the post/crossbar after an attempted score

If 3 hand passes have occurred and a player decides to hand pass a point as the 4th hand pass the score will stand. If the football is ‘flicked; or ‘palmed’ to a team mate or for a score, it does not constitute a hand pass.

Penalty for breach of above rule:A free to the opposition from where the 4th pass is caught. The kicker cannot score directly from the kick.

If inside the 13m line, the free must be taken from the 13m line in line with where the 4th pass is caught. The kicker cannot score directly from the kick.

2.No pass back to the goalkeeper.

The football may be passed forward to the goalkeeper

Penalty for breach of above rule:A free is awarded to the opposition from where the pass is touched by the goalkeeper but the kicker cannot score directly from the kick. If inside the 13m line, the free must be taken in line with where the pass is touched by the goalkeeper.

3. A mark will be allowed if the ball is caught cleanly from a kick-out, which passes the 45m line.

The referee will blow his whistle to signify the player has caught the ball cleanly and earned the mark. The player has the option to play on immediately or if he intends to avail of the mark he must indicate this to the referee. If he elects to take the mark, he must then kick the ball from his hands

Once he indicates he is taking the mark, the opposition must retreat 13 metres to allow the player space to take the kick.

If an opposition player deliberately blocks or attempts to block the kick within 13 metres, or if an opposition player impedes the player while he is taking the kick the referee will penalise the opposition and bring the ball forward 30 metres.

Once the player indicates he is taking the mark the referee will allow up to 5 seconds for the player to take the kick.

If the player delays longer than 5 seconds the referee will cancel the mark and throw the ball up between 2 players.

If the player gets injured in the process of taking the mark, and is unable to take the kick, his nearest teammate may take the kick but cannot score directly from the kick.

Fixtures For Saturday, February 13

Group 1

Hawkfield: Kildare v Wexford, 2.45pm.

Parnell Park: Dublin v Cork, 1pm.

Group 2

Clonbullogue: Offaly v Meath, 2.30pm.

Ballymahon: Longford v Limerick, 12.00pm.

Group 3

Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow v Cill Dara, 12.00pm.

TEG Cusack Park: Westmeath v Clare, 1.00pm.

Group 4

Darver: Louth v Wicklow, 2.30pm.