Kerry great Tomas O Se has hit out at a fresh round of proposed changes to Gaelic football, arguing the game should be left alone after one of its best seasons in years.

A series of trials is being lined up by the Expert Advisory Group (EAG), led by former Mayo manager Kevin McStay, with the third-level Division 1 league set to be used as a testing ground over the coming months.

Any changes judged a success could feed into the 2027 intercounty season.

What’s being proposed

The headline trials include a four-point goal, a ban on fisted or open-hand points unless the ball is in flight, and a return to the 13-metre kick-out.

Two proposals have drawn particular attention: a limit of three consecutive handpasses, and a ‘back-court’ rule stopping the ball being played back over the halfway line unless it is deflected.

McStay has stressed the group’s work is about ‘polishing’ what is already there rather than driving a truck through the game, and has admitted the appetite for change is lower after a strong 2026 season.

Not convinced

Reacting on X, Kerry legend Tomas O’Se was unimpressed.

‘Could we not just leave it and let teams get to grips with what’s there?’ he wrote. ‘No need at all for this. Best championship in years and we on about changes again.’

Supporters have also been quick to push back, with the three-handpass limit drawing the sharpest criticism.

Many pointed out it has been tried before: a near-identical restriction was trialled in the 2019 League and dropped after a backlash from players and managers, with a Gaelic Players Association survey at the time finding the vast majority were against it.

Taking to X, one fan summed up the frustration writing: ‘A limit of 3 consecutive handpasses.

‘A stupid rule that’s been tried before.

‘Teams won’t attack more, they’ll just kick backwards after 3 handpasses to keep possession. Fewer players will commit forward.

‘Best All-Ireland series in years. Leave it be.’