The new rule changes that allow for more physicality in camogie are a major positive for the sport, according to Kilkenny’s Katie Power.
The Kilkenny forward and Galway’s Heather Cooney were on Off The Ball and were speaking about the raft of new rules that are being trialled in the National Camogie League.
The rule which states that player may make ‘minimal’ contact with an opponent’s body side-on providing they are making a ‘reasonable’ effort to gain possession of the ball is the most prominent.
Both camogie players were in support of the rule change and explained how the game has been gradually getting more physical over the last year or so.
“I think even throughout the championship it was a lot more free-flowing. I remember we played Galway in the first round of the championship and we went away from that match and said, ‘That was the most physical game we’ve got to play in years.’
“We were sore and broke up after that for a few days. Even at the start of the match, there were a few things that happened and you’d nearly be looking to the ref because in years previous they would have been blown either way.
“I think throughout the championship it was definitely, without the rules being changed, the refs were definitely letting a lot more go and it was free-flowing.
“There were people complimenting all the games they were going to. There was never really any negativity towards the games thankfully,” Power said.
'Everyone was criticising the refs'
Camogie had been coming under much criticism from fans for becoming a glorified ‘free-taking competition’ and Power was delighted to see things changing.
“There was an outcry for the last couple of years really, more so from the players and anyone that was coming to see the games.
“I think the two All-Ireland’s between ourselves and Cork, afterwards it was worrying the negativity towards the game itself. There was nobody talking good about the game.
“Everyone was criticising the refs, the players, the rules, the association. The camogie itself - we weren’t going to grow.
“Thankfully we’re being listened to and it’s great. Hopefully, 2020 will be a bumper year for camogie,” Power commented.
Style Meets Substance was the theme as Littlewoods Ireland Launched the Camogie Leagues today. Littlewoods Ireland and the Camogie Association were joined by 2019 All-Ireland winner Heather Cooney from Galway and Kilkenny’s Katie Power, to launch the 2020 Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues.
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