GAA Special Congress pass all Football Review Committee proposals into permanent rule

FRC chairman Jim Gavin speaking with former Cork County Board secretary Frank Murphy after the GAA Special Congress 2025 at Croke Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

Presidential candidate Jim Gavin enjoyed the first of what he hopes will be two successful votes this month when GAA Special Congress passed all of his Football Review Committee’s (FRC) proposals into permanent rule.

At a gathering that spent more time debating a separate motion regarding the manufacturing of playing gear, all of the FRC’s 60 rule changes were endorsed in less than 45 minutes.

The only discussion concerned the clock-hooter, which received 67% support, 7% more than the required three-fifths support.

All of the other 15 votes were resoundingly endorsed, all of them receiving over 90%.

Galway chairman Paul Bellew said his county were backing all but the clock-hooter proposal due to the imbalance between the county and club scene.

Bellew added that there was a set-piece element now to the end of each half. Kildare delegate Larry Curtin mentioned the cost.

Following the votes, FRC chairman Jim Gavin, who played no role in presenting the motions which were delivered by standing playing rules committee Liam Keane, entered the room.

All of the updated rule changes such as the deflected two-point effort still counting for two points and a jersey pull being added to the prescribed list of black card fouls denying a goalscoring opportunity and resulting in the double whammy of a black card and penalty kick.

Earlier, the GAA voted in a change amending playing gear being of Irish manufacture to a GAA licensed manufacturer. Assurances were given to counties that their existing relationships with the likes of O’Neills and other Irish companies would not be affected.

GAA director general Tom Ryan revealed a legal case had been taken against the association this June in relation to their insistence of kit and gear being of Irish manufacture.

Later, GAA president Jarlath Burns warned Croke Park will be taking more of a hands-on approach to counties’s commercial deals as some of their agreements contravene those at national level.