Motion to allow for replays in provincial football finals will be debated next month

If passed, penalties wouldn't apply to deciders from next year

RETURN OF REPLAYS?: Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton saves a penalty in the shootout by Armagh's Shane McPartlan in the Ulster final. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

A motion to allow for provincial senior football finals to go to replays if level after extra-time will be debated at Congress next month.

A proposal, which incorporated both codes, had been put forward at last year’s Congress but was withdrawn for further consultation. Munster GAA had argued against it applying to their senior provincial hurling championship.

However, the Ulster Council as well as a number of their counties have been keen to see the facility of replays restored to their SFC final.

Their last three finals have gone to extra-time and the 2023 and ’24 games were decided on penalties. Armagh were the losing side on all three occasions.

Central Council on Saturday agreed to allow the motion go forward to Congress in Croke Park on February 27 and 28. If passed, it would likely be introduced for the 2027 season.

Ard Chomhairle also sanctioned the allocation of winners’s medals to the All-Ireland senior champions risen by nine, from 26 to 35.

In 2024, then All-Ireland SFC champions Armagh had sought the increase and victorious squads have been benefitting ever since. However, the decision was made official on Saturday.

The next Management Committee will discuss motions referred to Central Council relating to sponsorship within the Association.

Management Committee are empowered to decide policy around sponsorship but Tyrone have argued Central Council and Congress should determine it.

As part of the new funding deal with the Gaelic Players Association, the GAA also agreed for sponsorship branding to be permitted on match balls. All proceeds from the championship ball deal will go to the GPA.

Although doubts remain about the 2027 deadline for integration of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association, GAA director general Tom Ryan outlined what will be discussed by the steering committee on integration on their roadshow of the provinces, which commences next month.