'Exciting time ahead for Gaelic football', says Hunt
GAA President Jarlath Burns described it as 'an overwhelming mandate for improvement', and the introduction of the new playing rules for Gaelic football certainly reflects that.
They received massive support at the GAA’s Special Congress in Croke Park, with all proposed changes from Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee (FRC) coming into play from 1 January. Next year’s Westmeath football competitions promise to be very different from what we have witnessed for over a century.
The new rules must be implemented by March 31, which means they are in place for the 2025 championships and it's fully expected they will also be in operation in the All County leagues. The rules will be in place on a one-year trial, to be reviewed at the end of the playing season. The seven rules were trialled at the inter-provincial series at Croke Park in October, following which proposals for four-point goals and two-point 45s were abandoned.
Westmeath GAA’s Central Council Delegate, Tom Hunt, was attending his final Special Congress as his five-year term officially ends at the upcoming County Convention. Furthermore, Westmeath GAA’s Head of Operations, Patrick Doherty, was part of the FRC, which received massive support from counties when it came to passing the proposed rule changes.
Tom Hunt was privileged to be part of a historic Special Congress and noted just how significant the changes will be for Gaelic football. He praised new GAA President Jarlath Burns for delivering on his promise to tackle lateral hand-passing which is turning supporters off Gaelic football.
"This is an outstanding piece of leadership by Jarlath Burns. He set out his position when he addressed last year's GAA Congress following his election, stressing he was keen to tackle the scourge of lateral hand-passing. He succeeded by setting up a high-powered committee which has delivered the changes required. He is very much a president who leads," he said.
“We have two-point scores, new pitch markings, restrictions on player movements, restrictions on the goalkeeper, severe penalties for dissent, an extra black card infraction, a new start-and-post-interval restart concept, and extra powers for linesmen."
Praising the work of the FRC, he remarked on Jim Gavin’s impressive contribution as chairman of the new committee.
“He was very well prepared, and he introduced each motion and answered any questions in a very thorough fashion. In fairness, there were very few questions, and in general, the attitude of people was that football is in such a bad state, these changes are necessary,” remarked Mr Hunt.
There was nothing substantial put to the former Dublin manager as he delivered the proposed rule changes, though there were questions regarding the lack of a trial period for club and county. When it came to observations about the requirement for clubs to have new and very different pitch markings, it was stressed that clubs will need to adjust accordingly as it will be part of the rules.
“I’ve no doubt clubs will be up to speed on this, and once the new arc is marked out once, it will quickly become very familiar,” said Mr Hunt.
On the matter of referees and the challenges they will face, Mr Hunt said there was little discussion on this. While All-Ireland football final referee David Gough did raise concerns regarding the wording of the new rules, he was not in attendance at the Special Congress.
“It was plain sailing for Jim Gavin; the lowest vote for any proposal was 73% for the hooter,” remarked Mr Hunt.
“As the GAA President said, there was an overwhelming mandate for the improvement of Gaelic football. It’s revolutionary - not since Maurice Davin invented the game in early 1885 has there been such change. There are 40 adjustments involved and, while it will be challenging, it’s an exciting time for the game.”
The new rules will kick in from January 1 but will not be used in the Sigerson Cup or in any competitions that have already started in 2024. Tom Hunt explained: "They are definitely in place for the club championships and I fully expect them to be used in the leagues also."
The point was made that it would be unfair on club players not to be part of this major change, unlike previous times when rule experiments were confined to inter-county games.
Westmeath GAA Head of Operations, Patrick Doherty, in his report to this week's County Convention, said the county will need to decide early what rules will be in place for this year's All County football league.
"The enhanced rules for football will be trialled at all levels next year. Counties have until 31 March to implement them, but a decision will need to be made early in the year as to whether the rules are implemented in the All-County leagues or not. I hope the clubs will consider the implementation date closely and support whatever decision is made when the time comes," he writes.
Naturally, there may be unintended consequences as a result of the changes, as Mr Hunt observed, but there will be another Special Congress next year to iron out any problems and decide whether all of the changes will become permanent or if some tweaks are required. In the meantime, the GAA’s Central Council, on the advice of the Rules Advisory Committee, may make changes which will need to be ratified by the Management Committee.
As for underage football in Westmeath next year, like all counties, they will be able to liaise with the National Development Competitions Control Committee if they wish to adjust any of the new rules.
As a former goalkeeper, Tom Hunt is feeling upbeat about the rule changes.
“The new rules will be interesting and exciting. Goalkeepers will need to be better all-round footballers - and we have already seen that starting. The two-pointer may reduce the value of a shot-stopping goalie. We are going to see more long deliveries with the three players up all the time,” he remarked.
In total, there are seven key enhancements, and it certainly makes for an intriguing 2025.
Tom Hunt will attend his final GAA Congress in the new year as Central Council Delegate. He is being replaced by Tyrrellspass’s Joe Daly after five years in the position.
A quick guide to the new football rules
The following Gaelic football rules apply to both inter county and club level, not Third Level competitions in 2025.
Throw-in
1v1 throw-in to start each half, other midfielders on opposite sidelines.
Kickouts
Kickouts have to land outside the new 40m arc.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers can only receive a pass from a teammate in the opposing half of the field.
New structure
Teams must have three outfield players in each half at all times.
Advanced Mark
Attacking marks can only be claimed inside the 20m line, forward gets an advantage to ‘go for goal.’
Scoring Arc and System
Two points for a score outside new 40m arc from play and frees. Goals remain as three points; points inside arc worth one. New orange flag for two-pointers.
Solo and Go
A player who is fouled has the option of continuing play by taking a ‘solo and go’ rather than pausing to take a free.
Delay Fouling
Ball is advanced 50m (up to 13m line) for any foul which purposefully and deliberately delays play.
Black Card
Black card fouls now include other obvious examples of cynical fouling.
Fouls
Player fouled inside the arc can choose to bring the free outside the 40m arc to avail of a 2-pointer.
Melees
Third or subsequent players into a melee will receive a black card.
Advantage
Allows referees to play a longer advantage if they believe it merits it.
Dissent
A show of dissent by challenging the referee’s decision results in the free already awarded being moved up 50m.
Captains
Team captains are the only players who can speak to the referee to seek clarification of a decision made by the referee. Clarification is only allowed during a break in play.
Pitch Markings
New lines on all pitches to facilitate new rules: 40m arc required in front of each goal and a dashed line between the two 65s to indicate the middle of the field.
Public Clock and Hooter System
There will be a new clock-hooter system for timekeeping and to signal the end of each half.
New Powers For Linesmen
Allows officials running the line to immediately bring any instances of foul play to the referee.
Crossing A Line
Where a rule requires a player to be inside or outside a particular line, the player would be required to have both feet inside or outside the line.