NEW RULES RULE

Two-thirds backing football changes ahead of Special Congress

- By KARL O'KANE

INTER-county footballers have given their backing to the new rules ahead of this weekend's Special Congress at Croke Park.

Some 66 per cent say their playing experience is 'much improved', with 28 per cent saying it is 'slightly improved'.

The other options in the survey were 'no difference', 'slightly worsened' and 'much worsened'.

The question asked was, 'Have the new football rules improved or worsened your overall playing experience?'

This Special Congress will rubberstamp the rules with some minor amendments.

These include a tweak to the two-point rule. It has been amended so the score is still worth two points if an opposition player deflects the ball over, where previously it was one point.