Eamonn Fitzmaurice believes that if GAA referees started dishing out cards for players diving during games, the issue would quickly be quelled.
Over the weekend, instances involving Roscommon's Conor Cox and Galway's Sean Kelly were highlighted on social media.
"It's something that we'll have to be hard on," former Kerry manager Fitzmaurice told the RTÉ GAA podcast.
"There's two types of a dive: A type where a player is in possession and they go to ground easily looking for a free - you definitely don't want to see that in the game but it's probably not as serious as the other one; Someone going to ground to get someone sent off, I definitely wouldn't be a fan of that - most GAA people wouldn't.
"At the top level, there is the 'win at all costs' mentality. There has to be that bit of respect for each other as well. You'd hate to see fellas going down unnecessarily. It's taking cynicism to another level altogether.
"Last year, in fairness to David Gough, in the game in the Athletic Grounds between Armagh and Tyrone [when he sent off five players] - I know the scenes were farcical on the day - but we had very few melees after that last year because the referee implemented the rule strictly.
"It kind of stamped it out for the most part. I know there was one above in Donegal, the one in Croke Park [during Armagh vs Galway]. It wasn't as prevalent as it had become.
"Maybe it's going to take that, take players getting yellow cards, and if a fella's on a yellow card and he gets the road for diving, it'd stamp it out fairly fast."
This conversation is nowhere near strong enough. The talk more about the tackle than the diving.
They have footage of Sean Powter, Sean Kelly and Conor Cox feigning injury to get an opponent sent off.
Why not show it? https://t.co/R5GiL4xL1e— Smaller Fish GAA (@SmallerFishGAA) March 6, 2023
Fitzmaurice said if he was managing a player who he felt was diving during games he "might have a chat with the individual".
"Nearly all teams, nearly all players, will do what they have to do at that level to get a win - I accept that," said Fitzmaurice.
"The fact that it is being highlighted... I know there is a good bit of commentary on social media about it. I saw Colm Parkinson has been quite strong on it. It's no harm to see this bit of a push back from people with regard to it. That bit of noise about it might help the situation.
"When referees clamp down on overcarrying, clamp down on the third man in... In hurling last year, there was big focus on the handpass. When there is that clampdown, it does tend to iron itself out."
See Also: Molloy Wants Questions Answered By Donegal GAA Over Lacey Departure
