The confusion caused by the card system has convinced former GAA president Sean Kelly that the sin bin needs to be introduced to Gaelic football as a matter of urgency.

Reflecting on the 2015 championships in the Irish Examiner, the Kerry man expresses regret at not having implemented the sin bin rule during his term as president.

"We need to look at the card system. We have made life very difficult - near impossible indeed - for referees with yellow, red and now black cards," he wrote.

"Having said that, the refereeing this year was very good overall considering the difficulties and pressures they are under. We need to look again at the sin bin. It works in rugby, it works in Ladies Football, why wouldn't it work in Gaelic Football? It would be fairer, easier to understand and take some pressure off referees.

"I regret very much that when I was Uachtarán, we didn't persevere more with the sin bin experiment. It's time to go at it again."

Kelly is also calling for players to be banned for interfering with referees.

"It's time to completely ban interference with referees, especially the plámásy carry-on of players putting their hands on the referees shoulder when he is speaking or booking them. This should be an immediate red card offence. It's a subtle form of undermining the referee. Ban it. Lay a hand on the referee and you're off," he added.

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