Football Review Committee: New rules will speed up Gaelic football

Red flag to be waved for two-point scores outside 40-metre arc.

RULE CHANGES: FRC member Colm Collins speaks to those in attendance. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

The Football Review Committee (FRC) has said new rule changes will lead to quicker games and require higher levels of fitness from players.

FRC members, former Mayo and Clare managers James Horan and Colm Collins, claim changes will be required from strength and conditioning teams to prepare Gaelic footballers for the ball being in play considerably more because of rules such as the “solo and go”, which will allow fouled players to continue without taking a free.

At a large press briefing in Croke Park attended by all the entire 12-strong FRC on Thursday morning, it was confirmed their proposed “three-up” rule will apply to the halfway line, not the 65-metre line.

In next week’s interprovincial games in Croke Park, both teams must keep three outfield players in each half at all times. It is envisaged the structural change, which adds another white line to the field, will cut down on the amount of mass defending that has impacted Gaelic football.

FRC chairman Jim Gavin also revealed a red flag will be waved for a two-point score kicked on or outside the 40m arc, distinguishing it from the green for four-point goal and white for one point within the 40m arc.

As reported by the Irish Examiner earlier this week, the early idea of replacing extra-time and penalty shoot-outs with an “overtime showdown” was jettisoned.

In total, there are 49 motions relating to the “rule enhancements” that will be put to Central Council on October 26 – Ard Chomhairle will be briefed on October 16 prior to vote 10 days’ later. They will decide which of them will go forward to Special Congress on November 30 where delegates will vote on what come into operation from next year.

Referees will also now use vanishing foam mark spots where free kicks are taken inside the 65m lines. The FRC are also recommending the four-step rule in carrying the ball be enshrined and the establishment of a game intelligence unit.

The FRC had considered recommending increasing the number of substitutes from five to six but are now proposing teams be allowed to use 21 players with a limit of inter-changes per half and an unlimited number at half-time and full-time.

Munster face Leinster in Friday week’s interprovincial semi-final (8pm). It is preceded by the meeting of Connacht and Ulster at 6pm. 

The winners will face off in the cup in GAA HQ the following evening, the losers clashing in the shield. Friday’s games are televised live by TG4 and Saturday’s will be carried by RTÉ.

The “rule enhancements” include:

• One v one throw-in commencing each half.
• Kick-outs to be allowed to be taken before all players are outside the 20-metre line.
• The kick-out must travel beyond the new 40m arc.
• In his own half, a goalkeeper can only receive the ball from a team-mate inside the large rectangle. In the opponents’ half, they can receive it freely.
• Each team must keep three outfield players in each half at all times.
• The advanced mark to be reduced to a ball caught cleanly by an attacker or defender inside the 20m line from a kick from inside the 45m. The ball may be played immediately unless the referee deems no advantage has occurred.
• Two points awarded for a kick from on or outside the 40m arc that splits the post.
• The value of a goal to increase from three to four points.
• A 50m penalty for a tactical foul delaying or interfering a free or sideline kick.
• A player who commits a foul must hand the ball to a member of the other team in “a prompt and respectful manner”;
• The “solo and go” option for a player who is awarded a free. A team-mate of the fouled player may take it. A “solo and go” can only be taken within the 20m lines.
• An attacking player to be able to enter the small rectangle (square) as soon as a free-kick is taken.
• Holding up a player, either in possession of the ball is not, becomes a black card offence.
• Head-on-head, shoulder-on-head and elbow-on-head all to become red card offences.
• Contributing to a melee, a black card offence, is considered anything but a third or more player not removing a team-mate away from the incident.
• Advantage rule’s five-second time limit to be removed. Advantage will be applied at the referee’s discretion.
• A 50m penalty for showing dissent at a referee’s decision.
• At all levels up to U18, a black card for showing dissent at a referee’s decision.
• Stop clock/hooter, operated by fifth official on direction on referee, to be applied to games. The end of each half will be confirmed with the blow of the hooter with some exceptions.
• Linesmen (line umpires) to be allowed to bring any foul play immediately to the attention of the referee.
• Only captains or nominated deputies to be permitted to seek clarification about decisions taken by referees.