The Daily Star Ireland
Gaelic football is set for significant changes in 2025 at both inter-county and club levels, following the overwhelming approval of rule changes proposed by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee at the GAA’s Special Congress. With each motion needing 60% support to pass, none received less than 73%, and all 18 proposed rules were accepted via 49 motions.
These new rules, which are the most extensive changes in modern Gaelic football, will take effect for the Allianz League in the coming weeks. They were trialed during a special inter-provincial competition at Croke Park in October, but proposals for four-point goals and two-point 45s were dropped after the trials.
The first motion discussed in detail was about the administration of the rules and whether they should also apply at the club level in 2025. Despite opposition from Sligo and Longford, many counties supported the universal application of the rules, leading to a 93.1% approval. Club competitions already in progress or continuing into 2025 will use the current rules.
A significant change is the introduction of the 1v1 throw-in to start games, second halves, and extra-time periods, which passed with 91.7% support. The requirement for kick-outs to travel beyond a 40-yard arc also saw strong backing, with over 95% in favor. The restriction on when and where goalkeepers can receive a pass from a teammate was approved by 94.3% of the delegates.
The restructuring of team formations, which mandates that each team keep three outfield players in the opposition half at all times, was supported by 96.1% of the delegates. Changes to the advanced mark were also passed with 88% support.
Scoring changes, which now award two points for kicks over the bar from outside the 40-meter arc, were approved with 90.8% after some debate. The development of the solo and go option as an alternative to a free kick received 96.1% support.
Punishment for delaying play will now be harsher, with 85% approval for a rule that advances frees by 50 meters against offenders. Extending the black card to include holding up an opponent received 94.4% support.
There was 97.4% backing for the rule regarding taking a free outside the 40-meter arc and downgrading the offense of contributing to a melee. Changes to the advantage rule, which give referees more discretion, passed with 92.4%. Increasing punishment for dissent was approved by 92.6%.
The rule designating the team captain as the only player allowed to communicate with the referee was supported by 86.1%. Changes to pitch markings required to implement new rules around scoring and the 3v3 setup received 95.9% backing.
The introduction of a countdown clock and hooter, similar to those used in women’s football, received the lowest support at 73.7%. Finally, giving line umpires more power and requiring both of a player’s feet to be on the correct side of the line were supported by 97.5% and 95.9%, respectively.
