Just two straight red cards recorded in entire senior football championship

Major decline in dismissals this season

Referee Barry Tiernan shows Paudie Clifford of Kerry a red card. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

The Football Review Committee’s (FRC) rule changes and the GAA’s recent tightening up of its disciplinary measures are considered primary reasons behind a significant decline in sendings-off in this year’s championship.

Just four players were dismissed in the 2025 competition comprising 99 games – two straight dismissals and two for second yellow card offences. That’s compared to 12 red cards in the 2024 championship and one investigation, which led to a retrospective suspension.