CORMAC EGAN is happy to bring rugby values to GAA – even if it causes him to be mauled by the opposition.
The Offaly star was an underage captain for Tullamore RFC before opting to focus on GAA from minor level.
His cousins Matthew and John Devine are also professional rugby players for Connacht.
Under Gaelic football’s new rules, a show of dissent over a referee’s decision is one of the infractions that can result in a free being moved forward 50 metres.
And while Egan, 21, feels a 50-metre penalty for failing to hand the ball back to a fouled opponent might be ‘a bit harsh’, he is broadly in favour of the added emphasis on discipline.
The UCD student said: “I guess I would have come from that level of respect you show the ref. Normally I’d still call the ref ‘sir’, just from playing rugby.
“I remember playing a college game down in UL and I was calling out sir. I was beside the UL bench and they were all giving me absolute stick for it.
“I just still do it. It’s just in my nature that I’d still call him sir and just from being captain, that’s all. I had to address him as that for however many years I played rugby.
“It doesn’t make any effect to me but I guess some players will just have to deal with it. Some players, naturally enough, are a bit lippier, a bit mouthier and you can get annoyed.
“The refs have an incredibly hard job. I think it’s nearly a thankless job at times. When the ref is going against you, you do feel shocking hard done by so it’s hard not to say a word.
“But I think it’s better. The more respect in the game, the better.”
It has been a hectic start to the year for Egan, who helped UCD reach the Sigerson Cup final while also starting all three games for Offaly as they made a perfect start to their NFL campaign.
Representing college and county required him to alternate between two different sets of rules. But the new product is more appealing ‘by a good shot’, according to Egan.
He said: “It was tough to kind of switch back and get a small bit frustrated, especially things like dissent and stuff when the game’s slowed down.
“You can’t do that in the new game. I think it’s made for a way better spectacle and way better enjoyment to play.”
Thanks to wins over Sligo, Laois and Antrim, Offaly have joined Kildare in setting the pace in Division 3. It has been a positive start for Mickey Harte, who has stepped in as joint-manager this year alongside Declan Kelly.
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fermanagh, Egan is full of praise for the contribution made by the former Tyrone, Louth and Derry gaffer.
The 2021 All-Ireland Under-20 winner said: “It’s just amazing the amount of energy he brings into place. He’s just constantly trying to get us better. Even in our failings, there’s so much learning in what we’re doing.
“It’s his mentality really. We come in Sunday after a good win, he’s immediately telling us to enjoy it, but next Sunday is the big one now, we need to go again next Sunday.
“I haven’t been exposed to him for too long, but what I’ve been exposed to has been really good and really positive.”
*CORMAC EGAN was speaking as Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel operator, announced a five-year sponsorship of the GAA Under 20 Football Championship.
