Seismic change afoot: What to look out for as GAA Special Congress set to vote on new rules
Jim Gavin's Football Review Commitee will see their new rules go before GAA Special Congress on Saturday morning with the future of Gaelic football set to change forever.
GAA Special Congress takes place at Croke Park this weekend with the only item on the agenda the new rules proposed by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee (FRC).
After an exhaustive process of meetings, trial games and presentations, all across the country, a raft of rules will be voted on.
If even half of them are passed - and the indicators are that the vast majority will be - it will mean the most seismic changes in the history of Gaelic football.
We take a look at what’s on the table and how it might pan out:
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Q. So what exactly will County Board delegates be voting on this Saturday at Croke Park?
A. Overall, it’s the future direction of Gaelic football. The Football Review Committee (FRC) proposals have been broken down into a series of motions. There are 49 in total, but many of them are technical changes relating to rules.
The so-called ‘seven core enhancements’ are the pillars on which the FRC’s work is built.
The FRC’s brief is essentially to make football as entertaining a field sport as possible.
Q. Who are the FRC?
A. The FRC is chaired by Dublin’s six-time All-Ireland winning manager, Jim Gavin with former Meath captain Seamus Kenny as secretary.
It also includes former inter county managers, Colm Collins (Clare), James Horan (Mayo) and Eamonn Fitzmaurice (Kerry).
The others are new Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke, returning Donegal forward Michael Murphy, leading coach Colm Nally, GAA coaching chief Shane Flanagan and GAA officials Michael Meaney (Carlow), Pat Doherty (Westmeath) and Alec McQuillan (Antrim).
Q. What are the main rules to look out for at the Special Congress?
A. The 'solo and go,’ which allows players to play on from free kicks, the two point scoring arc, all kickouts having to go beyond that arc and the 'three-up' rule.
The three up rule means that both sides must keep three players inside both halves at all times.
Another new rule is a restriction on passes to the goalie, who may only receive the ball from a teammate in the large rectangle or the opposite half of the field.
The others are one v one throw-ups and a new version of the advanced mark.
Q. Anything else to keep an eye on?
A. A change to the black card rule, which would allow referees to sin bin a player who cynically holds back an opponent.
Under the current rule it has to be a pull down, hand or foot trip, or a body check. A 50 metre penalty for stopping a quick free will also be voted on.
A rule where only the captain can speak to the referee is also on the table, while a penalty of awarding a 13 metre free against a manager or coach who verbally abuses a referee is also going before delegates.
Q. Is there any going back from this once the rules are voted in?
A. Yes. The rules are only being voted in on a one year experimental basis for 2025.
The Football Review Committee (FRC) have the right to change any of the new rules voted in before the end of next year’s League. This means we could have slightly different rules for the League and the Championship.
This is power like few other committees have ever enjoyed.
Q. What are the chances of the new rules being given the green light?
A. High. A 60percent majority is required for each one. There have been very few dissenters to date. It appears the majority of people feel that rules changes are necessary.
And while it’s impossible to predict the type of game we’ll have in four months time, or two years time, even after we know what rules have been voted in, it looks good for the FRC.
Their forensic charm offensive, and the big coaching names on the committee appear to have reassured the public.
Q. What are the implications for the club game?
A. There have been noises from counties about the difficulty of implementing the new rules at club level, particularly the ‘three up’ regulation.
But there has been equally strong kickback saying that we can’t have a completely different game at club and county level.
Club officials will also be required to line out their pitch differently, to include the 40 metre scoring arc and a half way line across the pitch to make it possible to enforce the three-up - if this rule comes in.
Q. And what trying to referee the rules?
A. In theory refereeing the ‘three up’ is impossible without neutral linespeople, but as has been pointed out, the punishment is so severe - a 20 metre free in front of the posts and automatic point - that teams won’t chance it.
If it happens accidentally, while a player is moving with the ball or attempting to tackle or intercept, this will be a free from that spot.
The idea that a player will be in motion and then suddenly have to stop at a given line will take a lot of getting used to.
The 40 metre scoring arc would add another judgement call in terms of shots and kickouts.
The 50 metre penalty for stopping a quick free, which is another judgement call, gives referees a lot of power.
Overall though, the rules tackle cynicism, may lead to less rucks and flareups and a more open game, which could help referees in the long run.
The pace of the game could be a major issue though, particularly for club referees.
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