"The timing is all wrong" - Moran hits out at further rule changes
Mayo manager Andy Moran during his side's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Cork ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
Mayo manager Andy Moran has called on the GAA to resist introducing further changes to Gaelic football, believing the current rules need more time to bed in.
The former Mayo forward feels the game is in a healthy position following the introduction of the current rules and has questioned the need to trial further amendments so soon.
With a four-point goal among the proposals being discussed, Moran warned that changing the value of goals could have a significant impact on the game. He also pointed to the introduction of the 11-up rule as the biggest change to Gaelic football and believes its impact is now beginning to settle.
Speaking after receiving the 2026 GWA Football Personality of the Year award.Moran compared the scoring in the recent All-Ireland final with Mayo's 2017 defeat to Dublin, arguing that there has been little difference despite the changes introduced.
"People are talking well about the four-point goal and I get that, but if you change the dynamic of the scoreboard in Gaelic football, that's a massive change," Moran is quoted saying by RTE Sport.
"The biggest change that has ever come into the game is the 11-up rule and what you've seen now with the scores is that the scores now have started balancing each other out.
"We lost an All-Ireland against Dublin 1-17 to 1-16 in 2017 and it was the greatest game of football I've ever played in, but this final was 1-20 to 1-17. There wasn't much difference.
"The scores now are beginning to even themselves out. It's not these 1-30s, 1-35s that we thought, but you have to give that time to bed in.
"I think all the rule changes are not all bad, but not now. I actually can't see the point why we're even trialling rules at the minute.
"And yes, you should examine them and you should trial and you should, of course. But the timing has to be right and the timing at this point for me is all wrong. It really is."
