"Hurling doesn't need the mass changes" - Maher

Willie Maher. ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

GAA National Head of Hurling Willie Maher believes hurling does not require the sweeping rule changes introduced in Gaelic football, insisting the focus should be on smaller adjustments to improve the game.

Maher was speaking as experimental rules were trialled in the Fitzgibbon League, with 24 proposals under consideration, including changes to the handpass, puckouts and allowing players six steps in possession.

“For context, the FRC brought 75 recommendations initially and we brought 24 so there is a big difference there,” he told TippFM Sport.

“Hurling doesn’t need the mass changes that football has engineered over the last 12 months.

“This is about tweaking, this is about supporting referees, this is about the implementation of rule and then enhancements as we go as well.

“Let’s see what stands, let’s see what falls and the recommendations that do come forward and then it’s at the behest of Congress to see if they agree with the group’s recommendations.”