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Jim Gavin, chairman of the Football Review Committee, speaking at Saturday's Special Congress. James Lawlor/INPHO

GAA Special Congress passes all football rule changes for 2025 season

Delegates decisively back all rule changes proposed by the Football Review Committee.

GAELIC FOOTBALL IS set for a radical overhaul in 2025 after Saturday morningโ€™s GAA Special Congress decisively backed all of the rule changes proposed by the Football Review Committee.

The vast majority of the 18 votes, covering a total of 49 motions, were passed with the support of more than 90% of delegates.

โ€œThis has given a resounding mandate for improvements in Gaelic Football,โ€ GAA president Jarlath Burns said.

The FRC, chaired by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, had put forward rule changes in seven core areas including:

  • Goals to be worth four points, with two points awarded for points kicked outside the 40-metre arc
  • 3/3 Rule: Both teams must keep at least three players inside each 65-yard line
  • Players who are fouled to be allowed to โ€˜solo and goโ€™ in place of a free-kick
  • Kickouts must go beyond the 40-metre arc
  • Restricting passes to the goalkeeper, unless both players are inside the large rectangle or the goalkeeper is beyond the 65-yard line
  • Changes to the advanced mark rule
  • A one-v-one throw-in to start the game

All core rule changes passed comfortably with the advanced mark changes (88% in favour) the only change not to receive at least 90% support.

Supplementary rule changes proposed by the FRC and approved at Special Congress also included:

  • Tactical fouls and dissent to be penalised by moving the ball 50m forward
  • Deliberately preventing an opponent from taking a free to become a black card offence
  • Only the team captain or a nominated deputy to be allowed to speak to the referee
  • The use of a public clock and hooter, where available

Speaking on Saturday, Gavin said that the FRCโ€™s work was โ€œstarting rather than finishing a journeyโ€.

He said that โ€œthe ambition is that Gaelic Games will be the most enjoyable amateur games in the world to play and watchโ€.

The rule changes will come into effect on a trial basis for one year from 1 January 2025, and will apply to both club and inter-county competitions. Club competitions which began in 2024 and continue into 2025 will continue to be played under the current rules.

See the full list of Special Congress motions here >

Special Congress voting results

  • Motion 1 (Enabling Motion): 93%
  • Motions 2-4 (1v1): 92%
  • Motions 5-12 (Kickouts): 95%
  • Motions 13-15 (Goalkeepers): 94%
  • Motions 16-18 (3/3): 96%
  • Motion 19 (Advanced Mark): 88%
  • Motions 20-22 (Scoring): 91%
  • Motions 23-25 (Delay Fouling): 85%
  • Motions 26-32 (Solo & Go): 96%
  • Motions 33 (Black Card): 94%
  • Motions 34-35 (Fouls): 97%
  • Motions 36 (Advantage): 92%
  • Motions 37-39 (Dissent): 93%
  • Motions 40-41 (Captain): 86% 
  • Motions 42-45 (Pitch Markings): 96%
  • Motions 46-47 (Public Clock & Hooter): 74%
  • Motion 48 (Line Umpires): 97.5%
  • Motion 49 (Crossing A Line): 96%
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    Mute Conor Brady
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    Apr 25th 2016, 9:10 AM

    Come on Ronnie!!!

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    Mute Podge
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    Apr 25th 2016, 10:07 AM

    Heโ€™ll probably come out win 3 frames on trot with max 147 (if money is good enough) and then walk off saying โ€˜nah cant be arsedโ€™

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Apr 25th 2016, 5:24 PM

    Ronnie is to snooker as woods is to golf or at least was

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    Mute Thales of Miletus
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    Apr 25th 2016, 9:07 AM

    I hope he gets knocked out , heโ€™s a super talent but his pick and play when he feels like annoys me , also the 147 that he decided not to take on cause it was only worth 10,000 sickened me some what , he could have given it to charity . Does he think heโ€™s bigger then the game

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    Mute Gerry with a J
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    Apr 25th 2016, 9:13 AM

    Zzzzz

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