More rule changes possible for 2026, Jim Gavin says

The FRC chief was speaking ahead of the championship finale.

Former Dublin manager Jim Gavin speaking to RTE in Croke Park. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Football Review Committee chief Jim Gavin says that new rules -- like a four-point goal -- could be put in place for the 2026 season. 

The FRC has overseen the introduction of innovations such as the two-point arc, the requirement for players to hand back the ball after infringements and keeping a quota of players in the opposition own half.

The FRC is preparing to write its final report on this season's changes for the GAA but Gavin insists that won't necessarily be the end of the process of evolution.

"It is possible," Gavin said when asked by The Sunday Game host Joanne Cantwell whether new rules could be brought in. "Nothing is agreed until it's agreed - they're temporary rules."

Gavin confirmed another so-called sandbox game is scheduled as part of the FRC's work. 

"Next Wednesday we have Round Towers taking on Fingallians," he said. "It's at 7:30 in Abbotstown, to look at more at feedback we're getting through surveys. 

"Let's see next Wednesday but it's the four-point goal, if a team crosses the halfway line, that they can't go back.

"Look at Louth in the Leinster final against Meath; they brought the ball back into their own half and there was some suggestion that it might encourage teams to push out if they know they can't go back into their own half.

"I don't want to have people concerned that there's going to be radical change. Our job, as an FRC, is to do as much research as we can in the time that we're given.

"We have to produce a report for Central Council in early September. So we're going to be writing it in a couple of weeks times so we're at the very final stages now."

The FRC -- featuring figures like Éamonn Fitzmaurice and James Horan -- will be wound up shortly but Gavin says he'd like to see the GAA be able to make changes without having to set up another similar-looking group.

"Only every five years the units -- or the clubs -- can propose changes to the rules," he pointed out on the sideline ahead of the All-Ireland decider. "In those five years, the standing committee on playing rules, as we've seen, say when the kickout mark was introduced, when that was introduced in that gap.

"Our belief is that the standing committee on playing rules needs to be agile enough so if they see that the game needs to change, not to wait for another FRC to come around in 2035, to make changes as necessary."

The former Dublin boss also ruled out a return to intercounty management but said he'll continue to coach teams at club level. 

“I had a great time. I did 13 years, six with the 21s and seven with the senior team. I’ve got a very busy job. I had a great time and great players to work with. So intercounty, no, at club level absolutely, with my son’s teams I still want to be involved as long as he wants me involved,” he added.