The proposed playing rule changes for football passed at Special Congress this morning will apply at club level in 2025.
There was overwhelming support, 93.7pc, for the enabling motion, which allows the Football Review Committee to amend or rescind any of the changes passed during competitions.
Once that was passed with such conviction, it was clear that what the FRC devised would be carried.
Even the introduction of a stop clock, where the referee can bring play to a halt for injuries, was approved with 73.7pc support.
Twice this clock has got approval from Congress but was not implemented because of perceived difficulties.
But that captured a mood for change clear all week as counties fell in behind trialling some 17 changes next year.
The FRC chairman Jim Gavin, who presented the proposals, gave guarantees around constant review in 2025, stating that referees, players and coaches, at club level as well as inter-county level, and spectators will be surveyed through the year while the expansion of a game intelligence unit will also inform views.
Only the Sligo chair Sean Carroll, speaking on behalf of his delegation, challenged the testing process for what is, he said, an “unprecedented level of change.”
“We can say, hand on heart, they haven’t been testing in any meaningful way,” he said. “These are opinions, not solid evidence. There are no guidelines as to how this change control process will work. (Passing a motion) that allows you to be agile admits there are going to be problems. We’re expecting problems. For club referees, there’s going to be a massive strain on them. Is the game really that bad, are we looking back at the past with rose-tinted glasses?” he asked.
But that view was largely in isolation. Speaker after speaker commended the committee’s work and gave their county’s support, recognising the review mechanism put in place by the first motion.
“Of course concerns were raised with certain aspects in some of the rules,” said Armagh chair Paul McArdle of an Armagh county board meeting during the week that Gavin had attended to brief.
“But we’re not going down a route we can’t turn back on,” he said.
Gavin himself stressed that the work was only beginning and only through live experience could problems be unearthed.
“We want to shine a spotlight on any vulnerability, seek it out, the only way to do it is to play games. It’s all-evidence-based. That’s my DNA,” said Gavin, referring to his role as an aviation regulator.
In opening up the debate, GAA president Jarlath Burns encouraged delegates to apply changes at all levels, explaining that 2025 was a rule-change year.
“It allows the committee to be agile. If FRC see club games going on and things aren’t working, they can tweak them. In 2026 (only introducing them at club level) we’re going in on the blind, we don’t have capacity to change rules on the hoof.”
Cork chief executive Kevin O’Donovan said by applying rules at all levels in 2025 it sends a “fantastic message to club players that they are part of this process as well.
“And for referees it’s a good signal that we respect them, right down to the lowest levels of the game.”
Meath delegate Conor O’Donoghue, who is the county’s football development chair, spoke of the experience of the county’s regional tournament that adopted most of the proposed changes with the exception of those that required the arc.
He said he couldn’t “overstate how transformative they were,” adding that in the three years that the end of season tournament has been run, it was by far the best experience.
“It is faster, more enjoyable and referees like the dissent rule, it gives them a greater environment to do their work.”
Galway chair Paul Bellew said his county also felt encouraged by the rolling reviews promised, reflecting the widely held view that something has to change.
“The neutral is not attending our game, it badly needs it. It needs support, there is no harm in trying this,” said Bellew.
Clare, Kerry, Monaghan, Kildare, Fermanagh delegates, in addition to former president Liam O’Neill also spoke in favour.
Consequently all the proposals passed with only a few generating debate. Gaelic Players Association chief executive did express some concern, on behalf of players that with the two-pointer, there may be a disincentive to go for goals and encouraged monitoring of this with a view to change during the league.
The seven core enhancements flew through, the 1 v 1 throw in, kick-outs not requiring all players to be outside the 20-metre line and having to cross the 40-metre arc, restriction on a goalkeeper receiving a pass from a colleague inside his own half, three players from each side being in one half at all times, two points for a point scored from outside the 40-metre arc, a ‘solo and go’ allowing players to play on immediately when fouled and a new attacking mark applicable inside the 20-metre line and with an advantage built in, all enjoyed support from 88pc upwards.
The 50-metre advancement for delaying fouls and dissent also passed as was an extended advantage and the facility for only a captain to communicate with a referee to clarify a decision taken.
Gavin stressed that did not mean a blanket ban on communication with a referee.
Deliberately restricting or holding a player will now be a black card offence, as will contributing to a melee.
In conclusion, Gavin praised the “courage and ambition” of the delegates present for their approval.
“You’re the leaders of the Association,” he addressed them. “The decision that you have taken will influence how we play our games. The FRC is here to serve you, not ourselves.
“We commit to continue our engagement. Have we got it right? I’m not saying we have.”
Burns said the resounding support was down to the “trust” put in the committee which has been exhaustive in their work since convening in February.