Ollie Canning feels it is time to introduce the advantage rule to hurling.

On the recommendation of the Football Review Committee, the rule has been applied to gaelic football this year but former Galway stalwart Canning reckons too many fouls are going unpunished in the small ball code when refs play on but don't have the option of awarding a retrospective free when no advantage accrues.

Referring to an incident last weekend where Wexford gained no advantage against Waterford when the referee played on after a jersey tug on Conor McDonald, the Portumna clubman told The Irish Independent:

"We need to get to a stage where in that sort of incident the ref can whistle play back and award a free. There should not be any reward for fouling.

"It happens most of the time with forwards. The referee wants to let play run, but when it becomes apparent a moment later that there is no advantage there is nothing he can do.

"There should be a short time when the referee can let the play flow and then go back for a free."

Canning, who is a member of the Hurling 2020 committee, adds: "People have great ideas, you get it at matches all the time, people suggesting this or that, that's why it is important we receive all of those viewpoints as we try and shape the game in the future. This is a chance for people to get their views across on what is right and what needs to be changed." Tweet

Most Read Stories