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06 Sept 2025

All motions on new rule changes passed by GAA ahead of Kildare game

A meeting of GAA Ard Chomhairle voted to accept all motions from the FRC relating to amendments to the new rule enhancements ahead of Kildare's final two league games

All motions on new rule changes passed by GAA ahead of Kildare game

GAA Football Review Committee chairperson Jim Gavin during the GAA Special Congress 2024 at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A meeting of GAA Ard Chomhairle on Monday night voted to accept all of the  motions from the FRC relating to amendments to the new rule enhancements ahead of Kildare's final two Allianz Football League games.

All six proposed amendments to the rule enhancements were passed.

You can find the Leinster Leader's rule breakdown by clicking the link here or see below.

The implementation date for inter-county games is from now and for club games it is at the discretion of each county up to May 1. 

Amendments to the Clock/Hooter Regulations were passed and the Clock/Hooter is to be used in the Allianz Division 3 and 4 Football League  Finals, and in all Senior Football Championship games.

Teams will now be required to keep four players in their half of the field, which may include the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper wishes to advance up the field to join an attack, another teammate must drop back into his own half.

Another issue addressed concerned teams who have their numbers reduced by a red or black card. Those sides must now maintain three players in the opposition half. This was done so after controversy surrounded Galway vs Donegal earlier in the year.

The FRC amendments are as follows;

  • A breach of the 3v3 rule - which is now proposed to become 4v3 - in carrying, receiving or intercepting the ball or attempting to do so is a free kick from where the player crossed the halfway line.
  • A team must have at four players in their half of the field which may included the goalkeeper and at least three outfield player in the opposition half of the field.
  • In the event that a goalkeeper enters the opposition's half of the field, four of his teammates must remain in the team's own half. As it currently stands, three players will have to stay in the opposition's half.
  • There is an easing of accidental, unintentional or marginal breaches of the proposed "four back, three up" rule. Players who go four meters across the half way line or are not interfering in the play will not be punished.
  • Teams who have been reduced in numbers must still keep three in the opposition's half of the of the field at all times. There was some confusion during the League when teams lost a player to a red or black card but that anomaly has now been eradicated.
  • The kick-out reaching or going past the 40m line remains as does the clock /hooter.
  • A player who claims a kick-out mark can play on immediately and not be challenged for four metres. If the player is challenged in that space, a free kick shall be awarded 50 meters more advantageous to that player up to the opposition's 13m line. The player can also bring it back to outside the 40m arc for a two-point score.
  • An advantage has accrued if a point or a goal is scored. If no advantage has accrued to the team of the player awarded the mark, the referee will signal "no advantage gained" and the ball will be taken back to the points of the mark.
  • The removal of the word "directly" from the definition of a two-point score being played "over the bar between the posts...kicked by a player who has at least one foot on or outside the 40m arc and without the ball having been touched by another player.
  • A misconduct at games infraction by a team official to cost their team a 20m free rather than a 13m free, but the free can be brought out to the 40m arc for a two-point attempt if so desired.

READ NEXT: Kildare GAA announce minor football panel for 2025

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