Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney said his county had received mixed messages over the ‘3 v 3’ rule change after losing to Galway in Salthill in the opening round of the National League.
Following some confusion earlier in the week he said they had sought clarification and understood that a free awarded for a 3 v 3 breach could not be taken outside the 40m arc, allowing a team the chance to score two points.
Under the rule change at least three outfield players need to stay in each half of the field or a foul is called. A free is given on the 20m line, with the option of taking it out beyond the arc for a two-point attempt.
“This has changed three times this week,” McGeeney said. “But then we we asked for clarification during the week and we were sent it last night. I showed it to the ref (Conor Lane), and he showed me his (rule instructions) and they’re completely different.”
Both Galway and Armagh breached the rule, with the home side winning 1-12 to 0-9 after trailing by four points in the first-half. In the second-half Shane Walsh opted to take a free resulting from a 3 v 3 breach from outside the 40m arc, which he converted.
In another phase of play Rory Grugan didn’t avail of the same opportunity, with his manager saying that the messages being received in the lead up to the match were conflicting.
McGeeney also felt they were denied a “stonewall” penalty when Andrew Murnin was fouled late in the match with Armagh chasing a goal. Armagh were awarded a close-in free instead.
“Just that sort of stuff would be frustrating as well but, as I said, like, we had put ourselves in that position, we shouldn’t have needed it, but like a penalty is still penalty.”
Galway hit Armagh with three two-pointers in the space of four minutes in the second half, effectively killing the contest.
“We played reasonably well, we got sloppy,” said the manager. “A lot of lads back with not enough in the legs. Galway played well, played the conditions well. The wind picked up, it was a pity we didn’t start with that gale that happened about 20 minutes beforehand.
“Listen, Galway used the conditions better in the second half than we did. Three two-pointers in the second half, an extra three points, a penalty going one way and not the other. It wasn’t a great game for us. Loads to improve on.”
A first National League title since 1981 is Galway’s target, according to Pádraic Joyce, after his side got off to a winning start in Salthill.
But they face a tough second round assignment against rivals Mayo next weekend.
“To win it would be great,” said Joyce. “We haven’t won it in so many years. But then you’re looking at the winners in the last couple of years and you’re kind of wondering if you want to win it with the way they finished up in the championship and that kind of stuff.
“Look, we’re going out first of all to try and get six points and be safe. I think every team tries to win two of the first three games and then see where you’re at. And we’re in New York the week after the league final.
“But we have 40 players training as well so we’re not going to hold back in the league, we’re going to go at it and if we end up in a final, we’ll try to win it and take it from there. And if we do have a poor Championship, it won’t be because the league was so successful.
“For me, Division 1 at the minute is hugely competitive. We’re going to get seven brilliant games to figure out where the Cillian Ó Curraoins of this world, the Danny O’Flahertys, Seán Fitzs, the Johnny McGraths and these fellas are at. It’s great. Sam O’Neill made his debut and worked really hard. It’s great for us to get players into that kind of environment so we’ll keep at it.”
He said it would take a few rounds of the league to allow teams to get accustomed to the new rules.
“It’s difficult for both teams to try and get used to them. It was the first real game. I think it’ll take two or three games before we kind of know where we’re at with them. Obviously the two-pointers were a huge thing. I think we both got caught for having two up top for the handy frees in,” he said.
“That was it. I think people probably expected a way more fast-paced game but unfortunately the conditions and the pitch didn’t help that. We probably didn’t see the best of the rules.”
Galway recovered after a slow start to win by six points, hitting three consecutive two-pointers from outside the 40m arc in a four-minute spell in the second-half.
“I wouldn’t be overly happy with the way we started the game but obviously we grew into it after 17, 18 minutes. I think the penalty was a big turning point to get us back into the game. To go in at half-time two up after not playing overly well was great. We kind of saw the game out in the second-half.
“The twos were crucial. We got three in a row, which gave us a huge gap then on the scoreboard so we were able to just sit back and play the game on our terms.”