Sigerson Cup decision to opt out of new rules is part of football’s tricky balancing act

Adopting the new rules would mean colleges competitions had a month to develop a strategy, educate officials and line pitches including the artificial surfaces that games take place on. The safer bet was to carry on with what is established

The new GAA rule changes won't come into effect in Sigerson competition until next year. 

Change is not ubiquitous. On a weekend where special congress overwhelmingly approved the proposed Gaelic football rules, the GAA’s higher education competitions committee confirmed they were opting out. This is what their managers wanted.

Prior to Saturday’s proceedings in Croke Park, a link was sent out to universities and colleges in the Sigerson Cup and lower third-level football competitions. They were asked for their feedback about the rules and how it would impact their upcoming competitions, with the Sigerson Cup set to start in early January. A strong majority were in favour of playing the competitions under the existing regulations.