They will be on opposite sides of the argument on Saturday night in Brewster Park, but Antrim captain Peter Healy and Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly share similar views on the water breaks.
Following confirmation that the GAA will abolish the controversial one-minute break in each half, both men stressed that they found the water breaks helpful.
From a managerial perspective, Donnelly felt the water breaks were invaluable in trying to get messages across to his players.
“I actually didn’t mind them,” said Donnelly.
“It all depends what way the game was going if it suited you or not, but it was a chance to reset and get instructions on.
“From the point of view of the spectators, it broke up the flow of the game. You can see it from both sides. From a coaching side, it did give you a chance to get key messages across at that particular juncture.
“Either way, I’m happy enough to go back to the way it was. At a higher level, players are able to manage themselves through key situations and it probably isn’t a bad move.”
Antrim skipper Peter Healy also didn’t have an issue with the water breaks.
“In terms of the players, I thought the water breaks were brilliant,” said Healy.
“I know it was only a minute, but it was a chance to get in and have a quick chat and iron out a few things.
“Maybe for the fans it is a good thing that they are gone. For players, they came in handy.”
Healy’s native St Enda’s were involved in a bizarre incident in their 2020 Antrim SFC defeat to St Gall’s at Hightown when the referee felt St Gall’s were taking too long to return following the second water break.
Sean Laverty restarted the game with St Gall’s scrambling back into position with Odhran Eastwood taking advantage to score a goal into an empty net.
“That was early on, during the first Covid season,” recalled Healy.
“The referee gave them a warning and they didn’t come out. They were taking too long, so he blew the whistle and said play away.
“It was on our kick-out so we worked a goal before they could all get back into position. It was madness.”
Others also expressed their support for the water breaks on social media last night with Down footballer Barry O’Hagan stating on Twitter: “Unpopular opinion but I personally liked the water break.”
Down hurling boss Ronan Sheehan also felt the move to scrap the water breaks was unwarranted whereas former Armagh All-Ireland winner Steven McDonnell tweeted: “Water breaks finally done away in GAA. Won’t be too many will miss them.”
GAA president Larry McCarthy urged people to remain vigilant despite most Covid-19 now being removed.
