New Football Rules Approved at GAA Special Congress

Dublin: The GAA Special Congress took place on Saturday, where new football rules were approved. Delegates voted overwhelmingly in favor of the changes suggested by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee. The motions received strong support, with many passing by large margins.

An initial motion was accepted with 93% approval. This means the new rules will apply to club and inter-county football after March 31. The GAA’s Central Council can also make changes to these rules in 2025. A significant change was the introduction of a 1v1 contest during throw-ins, which received 92% support.

To make changes, only 60% of votes are needed. A remarkable 95% of delegates voted for a new 40-metre kickout arc. This rule requires goalkeepers to kick the ball to teammates outside this area, rather than opting for short kicks.

Another motion received 94% support, stating that outfield players can only pass to the goalkeeper if both are inside the large rectangle or if the goalkeeper has crossed the halfway line. Additionally, 96% of delegates agreed that at least three outfield players must stay in both halves at all times.

The advanced mark proposal, which allows players to score after cleanly catching the ball inside the 20-metre line, received 88% support. This rule encourages teams to kick long passes to create more scoring chances.

A motion to award two points for scores made outside the new 40-metre arc gained 91% backing. The new ‘solo and go’ rule, allowing a player fouled between the two 20-metre lines to run immediately, was supported by 96% of delegates.

Another motion aimed at stopping quick free-kicks passed with 85% support. Under this rule, offenders will receive a black card, and the ball will be moved forward 50 metres instead of the current 13.

The extension of black card offences to include deliberately holding an opponent received 94% support. Additionally, 93% of delegates agreed to move the ball forward 50 metres for player dissent and 13 metres for protests from the sidelines.

A motion stating that only team captains can question refereeing decisions received 86% support. The introduction of a stop clock and a hooter to signal the end of play was less popular but still passed with 74% support.

Motions to award black cards for the ‘third man’ entering melees and to give referees more discretion to play advantage beyond five seconds also received strong backing.

A full review of how the new rules work will happen in 2025, with updates expected in the rulebook by January 1, 2026.

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