This week the GAA’s leadership made a move giving all referees the power to amend the additional time allocated at the end of our games. How many times have you left a game citing that your team’s comeback was cut short as you felt there wasn’t the required time added on?
With Stephen Cluxton up kicking frees, Anthony Nash trotting up to take a penalty or a manager making a couple of late ‘tactical substitutions’ to kill the momentum of a game, something had to be done.
As games tick towards a conclusion the board held up by the fourth official is eagerly sought after. It adds to the excitement. Has the board went up yet?
This season referees have been given a license to add on time for three main categories.
- Goalkeepers or Defenders coming up to take attacking frees and penalties (usually takes around 20 seconds)
- Substitutions (usually takes around 20 seconds)
- The use of Hawkeye in Croke Park only (usually takes 30 seconds)
The figures above are approximate but are based on research. Bearing this in mind, we have outlined a potential situation that could occur this season if Dublin are playing Kerry.
In the 2nd half of the game there are:
- 3 Kerry substitutions – 60 seconds
- 4 Dublin substitutions – 80 seconds
- 4 Stephen Cluxton frees – 80 seconds
- 1 instance of Hawkeye – 30 seconds
In the above example 4 minutes 10 seconds will be added to the normal time for stoppages. With time almost up and if the referee has one minute of injury time, there will be six minutes on the fourth official's board.
A lot can happen in six minutes when there are tired limbs, concentration levels dropping and players making poor decisions in the heat of battle.
Like all rule changes, they will take time to bed in and for referees, players and supporters to get used to it.
These changes were coming, it was only a matter of time. Will it curb Beggan or Cluxton coming up to hit frees? It'll depend on the context.
If it is a kickable free with Monaghan a point down, Malachy O'Rourke will no doubt instruct the Scotstown man to head forward and have a go. If a team is a point up and under pressure it may make a manager think. If they go for it and miss, then they have to absorb another 20 seconds of pressure.
The referee will always round up his time to the nearest full minute. So if there are 3 minutes 50 seconds to play and the free brings it up to 4minutes 10 seconds then the referee will round this up to 5 minutes. So the free has effectively the free has added 70 seconds on to the clock. Can your team hang on?
It will make for more good debate at grounds across the country.
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