‘Two-point score changing football’s dynamic’ – McConville

Oisin McConville says the advent of the two-point score in the package of new Gaelic football rules is significantly changing the dynamic of the game.

Helped by two-point scores, Dublin fought back from 11 down at half-time to beat Kerry in Tralee for the first time since 1982 while Derry were also able to reel in a nine-point interval deficit to snatch a draw against Galway at Celtic Park.

“Less control is how I would describe or being able to manage a game out is very difficult now,” the Armagh great told The GAA Social on BBC Sounds.

“Once the opposition get the press on the kickout and they win one or two balls, a couple of two-pointers brings you straight back into it.

“And when you get the two pointers, it brings the defence out. Once the defence has come out that little bit, you have a chance to get in behind and get the one pointers or the goals.

“Dublin kicked two cracking two pointers from Lorcan O’Dell and it made Kerry come out the field a little bit and Dublin then were able to get those easier one-pointers in behind. It was good. It was entertaining.”

The Armagh GAA great, who is now manager of Wicklow, said Galway made the mistake of attempting “to manage the game out” at Celtic Park.

“There is no managing the game out any more. You need to be tagging on scores and Galway weren’t able to do that and Derry just caught them.”

While Derry remain bottom of Division One on a solitary point after three games, McConville believes the draw will have considerably boosted morale in the Oak Leaf squad.

“That turns the whole thinking around for them. Even for Derry to get a point out of that game.

“They go to Croke Park next Saturday night and their attitude has flipped now because of the way they played in the second half.”

However, McConville wasn’t impressed with Tyrone’s display in their 0-12 to 0-10 defeat against a struggling Mayo – even though the Red Hands were again without the Errigal Ciaran contingent who include the Canavan brothers Darragh and Ruairi.

“Ten points is not a good enough return with the new rules. Tyrone need to be a little more direct and get the shooters on the ball.”