New rules bringing excitement to Ladies Football, says Sheridan

Michael Bolton

Five rounds into the Lidl National Football League, and the new rules have brought an extra layer of excitement to ladies' football.

While teams have tactically improved over the years, this has also brought defensive structures that were hard to break down and not easy on the eye for spectators.

After the success of the new rules in the men's game last season, they were also brought into the ladies' football, starting with the opening rounds of the league.

One of the teams that has taken to them very quickly is Cavan, who are on course for a second promotion in two seasons.

Aishling Sheridan has been central to their start, and says the mood has been positive around the new rules.

"Even from talking to my teammates as well, the rules have been really positive, and they have benefited the game.

"For me personally, the solo and go and the three up have been such a change. We played teams last year, and it was just so defensive where they had 14 players behind the ball.

"Teams are going to line out however they want, but it did make it a harder game to play and watch. The solo and go, it has allowed for a much faster-paced game.

"Even that extra bit of physicality, it has just been brilliant."

The Cavan captain says the new rules have helped increase attendances and bring new eyes to the sport.

"If I reflect on our last few league games, we have had a brilliant turn out.

"I have been on the senior panel since 2013. For a few years three, you would be travelling down the country and you wouldn't have much there.

"The new rules are definitely helping that as it is helping to more of a flow to the game. Even from talking to my parents, it is a much faster-paced game. I remember playing a few teams where it was just so defensive.

"Now there are more scores on the board, and it is a faster-paced game; it is more enjoyable to watch."

One player who would have loved to have played under the new rules is former Cork footballer Bríd Stack

The 11-time All-Ireland winner admits she was worried about where the game was going, especially with the amount of defensive football being played.

However, after going to Cork's win over Waterford last Saturday, Stack is encouraged by what she has seen.

"We could not get over the speed of the game. Hand on heart, it had been hard watching some of the games in the last couple of years.

"That speed and injection of pace, what ladies football was about for so many years, that was gone out of the game. For that to be back, it had breathed new life into the game.