Rule enhancements have been beneficial - Morrissey

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary’s Laura Morrissey has welcomed the impact of the playing rule enhancements trialled during the 2026 Lidl National League season.

The suite of 12 changes were voted into rule at a meeting of the LGFA last week and will apply instantly for all adult inter-county championships at provincial and national levels.

Six of the 12 changes mirrored the GAA Football Review Committee’s rule enhancements in the men’s game. They are the kickout mark, the two-point scoring arc, the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times, the solo & go, and frees being brought forward for tactical fouling or dissent from the sideline.

The six other rule changes looked specifically at current LGFA rules, including those related to the tackle, with the overall aim of ensuring that the playing rules of the game are fair, consistent, inclusive, and reflective of the modern development of the sport.

“It has made a difference,” Morrissey said at the launch of the Munster Championship in Thurles.

“It's easier to break through defences, but then also it's easier for your defence to be opened up but it is good for the game, having to keep players up and back is after making a lot more attacking.

“Even the new tackle rule has made such a big difference, and the solo, there is no more tactical fouling and the game is a way quicker so all the changes are going to make ladies football more enjoyable to watch.”

The National League was a mixed bag for Tipperary in division 2, finishing in mid-table with three wins, one draw and three defeats, as they settled into a third different manager in as many years with David Power stepping into the breach after Ed Burke stepped down after one year, despite guiding the county a first All-Ireland quarter final in four decades.

“Getting someone in like David into our setup has been huge for us,” Morrissey added.

“Having all that experience and has had a lot of success in previous years (with Tipp) and this year, with the UL team. So, hopefully we can bring that success into us a little bit more this year.

“Tactics and everything have changed a lot with the new rules that are after coming in. So, we've all learned a lot of things over the last couple of months, but having someone on his experience has made a big difference.”

There has also been change in terms of the squad with two key losses from last year in Aishling Moloney and Caitlin Kennedy who have committed to AFLW.

Brian Boru’s club player Morrissey revealed she has never been approached to follow the duo, as well as Orla O’Dwyer, Ashling McCarthy and Niamh Martin who are also Down Under. She feels the losses have been key in preventing Tipp from contending for All-Ireland honours but understands the decisions they have made.

“If we had all the girls back that we have lost over the last couple of years, our team would be completely different,” Morrissey said.

“But it’s such an amazing opportunity; you cannot begrudge the girls at all and we wish them the best of luck.

“In fairness over the last couple of years, Aishling Moloney was able to play for us and go out, and Anna Rose (Kennedy) was the same but this year they are after bringing their season forward little bit so obviously the girls cannot play with us which is obviously very disappointing but it is outside of their control.

“Should we bring our season forward to facilitate them? I don't know.”