Kilkenny first county to debut new football rules in club games

An umpire waves the orange flag for a two-point score. Pic: James Lawlor, Inpho

Kilkenny will be among the first counties to implement the new football rules at competitive adult club level this weekend.

Starting on Friday with one senior league and two intermediate league fixtures, 30 teams will be in football action over the coming days.

Of the 41 clubs in Kilkenny, 31 field football teams at either senior, intermediate or junior level. The likes of Dicksboro, Muckalee, Railyward and Rower-Inistioge have two squads.

Kilkenny are quick out of the blocks as their football season usually concludes in May. Football is the only GAA sport played in the county’s primary schools up until February 1.

All but the clock-hooter will be in operation in games around the county this weekend, from the two-point score outside the 40-metre arc (excluding 45s), the minimum of three outfield players in each half of the field at all times and the solo-and-go.

“We’ve had workshops on the rules in UPMC Nowlan Park over the last fortnight, the coaches and referees have attended and the information has gone out to the clubs,” reports county secretary Seamus Reade. “Groundsmen have been encouraged to ensure the pitches are properly marked with the new lines but obviously there are difficulties in doing that with the weather.

“Pitches will be a challenge for everybody. In fairness, up to Christmas the rainfall hadn’t been too bad and the clubs are usually very good at marking them so I don’t have any fears there.” 

Just as there have been teething problems at county level, Reade knows there will be in the club fixtures but there is a general acceptance that is not everything is going to be perfect from the off.

“We’ll take it as it goes. There’s going to be learning in this for everybody. We’re taking it seriously. We’re probably the first out, we have our own split season between the codes.” 

Reade envisages the three-up rule will be the main challenge for referees to implement this weekend without neutral linesmen to assist them. “That will the biggest one. They will probably have club linesmen these being league games and players do tend to wander.

“I’m aware of a challenge game that took place between two city clubs last weekend and that was the only issue, being able to monitor the three-up. It otherwise went fairly well from what I heard.” 

The football rules will be debuted in Cork’s leagues starting on February 23, while they will be active in Kerry when their leagues commence on St Patrick’s Day weekend.

Cork clubs will get their first taste of the rules at U21 level from February 7 and adult divisional from February 16.