Tomás Ó Sé Questions Wisdom Behind Late Change To Controversial GAA Rule

One of the more controversial GAA rules was abandoned over the weekend, with the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals the first Gaelic football championship games played since the decision to change the law relating to interference from a kickout mark.

Previously, a 50-metre penalty was applied if a player was impeded after claiming a mark from the restart. Many felt that this was far too harsh of a punishment, handing a team an opportunity to score from a free after what was often a rather minor infringement in the middle of the field.

The new rule means that instead of the ball being moved up 50 metres, a free will be given from where the infringement took place.

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The previous law had proven to be a very unpopular one among GAA commentators, with many of them calling for a change to the way it was applied. In saying that, some have questioned the timing of the decision to alter the law ahead of last weekend's games.

Speaking on The Sunday Game, Tomás Ó Sé said that while the rule needed to be changed, he was not comfortable with it being carried out just as we were reaching the business end of the championship.

"I'd agree with it, but I just don't agree with the fact that it is done mid-season..." - Tomás Ó Sé offers his thoughts on the recent mark rule change. #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/pDznzB9Fxa

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025

It was probably too much of a punishment. I agree with it, I feel it has to be changed and it will be.

I just don't agree that it was done midseason. It's four or five weeks out from the All-Ireland final, you're gone through all the provincials, you're gone through all the group stages.

Next thing you bring this change in and you have to change around the way you're doing training as well?

I just think yeah it's the right thing to do to take it out of the game, but managers gave out throughout the league so often about the chopping and changing, just get the rules in and let us play.

Now halfway through (they change it), I just find it strange to be honest with you.

The decision to alter this rule at such a later stage in the season was certainly a drastic one, although it is clear that many in the GAA felt that an immediate change was needed.

It will be interesting to see if it makes much of an impact over the coming weeks.