Brian McEniff backs Joe Brolly's idea of reducing the role of the goalkeeper

With the news that an Interprovincial competition is to take place this October to trial some of the Jim Gavin-chaired Football Review Committee’s rule trials, there has been reaction to Joe Brolly’s call at the weekend to reduce the influence of the goalkeeper in the present game of Gaelic football.

Among those who have backed Brolly’s suggestion is Donegal Democrat columnist and former All-Ireland winning manager, Brian McEniff.

There has been much discussion over the last number of months with a number of rule changes being trialled in matches involving intercounty players as part of the rules review.

And now it is learned that there will be a game similar to the old Railway Cup held in Croke Park in October to give the proposed new rules a further trial.

It seems that three rules in particular are being proposed. (1) Awarding two points for long-range scores; (2) Requiring that three players from both teams remain in each half at all times; (3) A clock/hooter to end all games.

In his Sunday Independent column at the weekend, Joe Brolly called for a ban on the pass back to the ‘keeper, which he felt was ruining the modern game and also making it a poor spectacle for spectators, with the ball being worked backwards when a team was in front on the scoreboard, rather than going forward.

Former Donegal manager, Brian McEniff, says there is merit in Brolly’s suggestion and feels that maybe there should be a limit to the involvement of the ‘keeper in general play.

“At present, the ‘keeper is being played as an extra outfield player and it is having a severe impact on how the game is being played. As a spectacle, it doesn’t look good when you have a team on the attack and then the ball is worked backwards and ends up in the ‘keeper’s hands.

“It is not one of the rules mentioned by the Rules Review Committee but there is some merit in it being discussed. Maybe a total ban on the ‘keeper being involved would be harsh but maybe if the ball crosses the ‘45’ the ‘keeper should be excluded from becoming involved in the play after that,” said McEniff.

The Rules Review Committee, chaired by former Dublin manager, Jim Gavin, has a number of high-profile GAA people involved, including our own Michael Murphy. New rules have been trialled by county players and more recently there have been trials with club teams.

It’s seven years since the last Railway Cup competition was played and Brian McEniff is very much in favour of it being used to trial the new rules. McEniff and the Railway Cup were synonymous over a long period as a player and manager of Ulster.

The Football Review Committee will draft a report for Ard Chomhairle in November with a Special Congress set for December. The trial of rule enhancements will then be in place for all 2025 competitions, including the national league and championship.

There would be a mid-season 2025 review before the formal end of the trial with the completion of the 2025 championships. It is envisaged the full adoption of new rules for Gaelic football will be in place from January 1, 2026.