Galway star issues strong statement to GAA rulemakers insisting he won’t play in proposed trial games

'Football is fine the way it is.'

Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson has publicly criticised the proposed rule changes put forward by Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee and has said he would have no interest in lining out in next month’s interprovincial trial games at Croke Park.

The group's list of proposed reforms will affect the goalkeepers of the game the most as they seek to put the handbrake on the use of ‘fly’ keepers, which has become increasingly common in recent seasons.

All of the suggested rule changes will be voted on at Special Congress on November 30 and, if approved, could come into effect as early as January.

Speaking at a press launch to announce Pinergy as Connacht GAA’s energy partner, Gleeson insisted he will not take heed of the proposed changes until they are officially approved by the GAA’s Special Congress.

Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson has issued a hands-off warning to Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee, insisting Gaelic football ‘is fine the way it is’.

As the agenda for reform gathers pace with the new proposed rules to be showcased in a televised inter-provincial series next month, Gleeson claimed he would not be interested in being part of the Connacht panel as he is so stridently opposed to the reform agenda.

"I am happy with the way it is," he said.

"To be honest, maybe other people want more attacking, quicker football but when you are playing, you don’t mind.

"As a spectator maybe, it is hard to watch at times. I don’t think there is a need for rule changes. I think it is fine the way it is, to be honest."

Gleeson then said he hasn’t been contacted about lining out for Connacht in next month’s rules trials, and that he wouldn’t be interested if he was asked to take part.

“For rules? No,” he said.

Of the twelve motions that have already been submitted ahead of Congress in 2025, the standout one is a recommendation to scrap penalty shootouts altogether and replace them with something called an ‘overtime showdown’.

The concept would see play restart as normal after full-time but once a team scores, the other must match that feat at the other end from the restart.

If they don’t they lose the game there and then but if they do, there is one further play, starting with a throw-in, to determine the winner.

Considering Gavin is joined on the FRC by top football figures like Éamonn Fitzmaurice, James Horan, Michael Murphy, Colm Collins and Malachy O’Rourke, many believe their suggestions will be embraced my numerous members of the GAA.