Dubliner Jim Gavin’s influence on Gaelic football won’t have ended with his decision to step down following his county’s five in a row against Kerry in 2018; last Saturday the GAA’s Special Congress backed his steering of the Football Review Committee, which means there will be seven major changes to how the game is played from the New Year.
Gavin’s influence was obvious as the chairman of the committee had no less than 73 percent support -- and for most close to or over 90 percent -- across his proposals, with all 18 rules passed.
The new rules will ensure the most significant changes to football in modern times, and teams will need to be up to speed for the upcoming national league campaign.
At club level, any competitions already underway and unfinished by the start of the New Year will be played under current rules, but there is a cut-off date, March 31, while there is also the understanding that the GAA can make changes or approve exemptions for underage games.
The Higher Education Competitions Committee has already decided to play their competition under the old rules which are currently in vogue.
Here is a quick review of the new rules:
● The one versus one throw-in at the start of the game, second half and periods of extra-time passed with 91.7 pc approval rate.
● Motions concerning the requirement for restarts such as kickouts to travel beyond the 40m arc was also passed with over 95pc in favor.
● The vote to restrict when and where goalies can receive a pass was passed with 94.3pc in favor.
● Congress also approved by 96.1 pc the restructuring of formations which keeps three players from each team in opposition half at all times.
● The alterations to the advanced mark got 88 pc support.
● The changes to scoring with two points for a point outside the 40, arc was backed to the tune of 90.8 pc.
● The solo and go development option instead of a free got 96.1 pc backing.
● Increasing punishment for delay of play, saw 85 pc support for a 50m advancement for frees given against those who transgress.
● There was 94.4 pc backing to extend the black card to the offence of holding up your opponent.
● The delegates also voted in favor by 97.4 pc for rules around taking a free outside the 40m arc and downgrading offence of contributing to a melee.
● Changes to the advantage rule also passed with 92.4 pc and increasing punishment for dissent was given green light with 92.6 pc of delegates in favor.
● Support of 86.1pc for changes to rules surrounding dissent and designating captain as the only player allowed to communicate with the referee.
● There was 95.9pc backing to change pitch markings to implement new rules around scoring and 3v3.
Other agreements saw the introduction of a women’s style countdown clock and hooter which was passed with only 73.7pc.
There was 97.5pc support to give line umpires more power, and 95.9pc backing for rule insisting on both a player's feet being on the right side
