A general view ahead of 2023 Special Congress at Croke Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
GAA Special Congress takes place on Saturday at Croke Park.
A total of 49 motions will be debated and voted on by delegates.
In October, The Football Review Committee chaired by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, launched an interim report.
The FRC recommended seven core rule enhancements which were trialled in the Allianz GAA Football Inter-Provincial Series.
GAA's Central Council subsequently met to review the FRC Interim Report/Rule proposals.
At the bottom of this article you can view and download the motions as they will appear before the delegates.
For GAA Official Guides & GAA Codes click here.
Below is a simplified guide to the motions to be dealt with this weekend.
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MOTION 1: This is an enabling motion so that rule changes made at Special Congress will be adopted on a temporary basis for one year, commencing on January 1, 2025. Central Council shall be entitled to rescind or amend any rule changes made by this Special Congress.
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MOTION 2: This motion proposes that the referee will toss a coin in the presence of the team captains. The team which wins the coin toss will choose ends; the other team will choose which sideline their player will stand on for the throw in. Teams will change ends and the sidelines on which their players are positioned for the throw at the start of the second half. This procedure shall be repeated for extra time, where played.
MOTION 3: This motion proposes that one player from each team shall stand on their own defensive side of the 10m dashed half-way line, and shall face the referee, for the throw-in. A second player on each team shall be positioned on opposite sidelines, centred on the sideline and facing the players contesting the throw-in. These players will swap sides for start of the second half. The other players shall be in their respective positions behind the 45m line.
MOTION 4: The motion proposes that the referee, facing the players, starts the game and re-starts it after half-time, by throwing the ball between one player from each team, in their own defensive sides of the half-way line. A second player from each team shall stand on opposite sidelines at the half way line. The second players shall swap sidelines for the second half throw-in. All other players shall be in their respective positions behind the 45m lines.
KICK-OUTS
MOTION 5: This motion proposes a kick-out off the ground from the centre point of the 20m line and shall be kicked forward.
If the goalkeeper is not taking the kick-out, the goalkeeper shall stay in the small rectangle. All other players shall be at least 13m from the ball until it is kicked. The player taking a kick-out may kick the ball more than once before any other player touches it, but may not take the ball into the hands. The ball shall travel not less than 13m and outside the 40m arc before being played by another player of the defending team. Players may remain inside the 20m line. Players may not impede or interfere with the goalkeeper, or another opposition player, taking the kick-out. Players may remain inside the 40m arc, but must not be closer than 13m to the ball when it is being kicked.
MOTION 6: This motion proposes a player in direct receipt of their kick-out may not pass the ball to their team’s goalkeeper, or the player taking the kick-out, without another player playing the ball.
MOTION 7: This motion proposes for a player to be less than 13m from the ball, before a kick-out, the penalty will be a free kick from where the foul occurred.
MOTION 8: This motion is for Rule 4.28 - The Playing Rules of Gaelic Football - to be inside own 20m line (except as provided in Rule 2.7) or semi-circular arc when one’s team is taking a kick-out will be deleted.
MOTION 9: This motion proposes that free kick will be awarded for another player on the team taking a kick-out to play the ball before it has travelled outside the 40m arc.
MOTION 10: This motion is for Rule 4.30 - The Playing Rules of Gaelic Football - for a player on the team taking a kick-out, other than the player taking the kick, to be less than 13m from the ball when it is kicked - will be deleted.
MOTION 11: This motion is for Rule 4.27 (for a player taking a kick-out to take the ball into the hand(s) before another player has played it), 4.31 (to waste time by delaying own kick-out), and 4.32 (to take the kick-out after a wide or after a score other than from the centre point ofthe 20m line or not to kick the ball forward will result in either cancelling a kick out or free kick on defenders 13m line in front of the scoring space.
MOTION 12: This motion is for Rule 4.14 (to be inside opponents’ 20m line, inside the semi-circular arc or nearer than 13m from the ball until a kick-out is taken) will be deleted.
A general view of the room before the start of day one of the GAA Annual Congress 2023 at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
GOALKEEPER
MOTION 13: This motion is an 'outfield player' will be defined as any other than the goalkeeper.
MOTION 14: This motion proposes that a goalkeeper may only receive the ball from a teammate (a) inside the large rectangle when both the goalkeeper and the teammate passing the ball are inside the large rectangle or (b) when the goalkeeper is in the opposition half of the field.
MOTION 15: This motion proposes for a goalkeeper to receive the ball, by a pass
• from a teammate, when the goalkeeper is outside the large rectangle and in their own half of the field;
• from a teammate, while the goalkeeper is inside the large rectangle, after the ball has been played out of the large rectangle, unless it has been played by an opposing player.
The following penalties will apply - a free kick from the position the goalkeeper receives the pass, or if the goalkeeper is inside the 13m
line (whether the player making the pass is inside the small rectangle or not) when in receipt of the pass, the free will be from the 13m line opposite where the foul occurred.
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MOTION 16: This motion proposes that during play, a team must have at least three outfield players on each side of the half-way line. Exceptions will be made where the number of players on a team is reduced below 15, the number of players that team is required to keep on each side of the half-way line is reduced accordingly e.g. if there are 14 players on the team, it must have at least two outfield players on each side of the half-way line.
MOTION 17: This motion proposes that there will be a free kick from the place a player crossed the half-way line when leaving less than three outfield players on either side of the half-way line.
MOTION 18: This motion proposes that for a team to have less than three outfield players on each side of the half-way line other than in the circumstances described in (Motion 17) a free kick from the centre point of the offending team’s 20m line will be awarded.
ADVANCED MARK
MOTION 19: This motion proposes a referee shall award a mark, in either of the following circumstances.
(i) When the player catches the ball cleanly from a kick-out, without it touching the ground, on or past the 45m line nearest the kick-out point (a Kick Out mark)
Or
(ii) When a player catches the ball cleanly on or inside the 20m line from a kick in play or from a kick-out mark delivered by an attacking player on or beyond the opposing team’s 45m line, and without it touching the ground (an Advanced Mark).
SCORING
MOTION 20: The motion proposes a point is scored when the ball is played over the crossbar between the posts by either team, inside the 40m arc or inside the 20m line. Two points are scored when the ball is played directly over the crossbar between the posts (whether from a free kick, solo and go, or from general play), having been kicked by a player who has at least one foot on or outside the 40m arc and without the ball having been touched by any other player. The exception is when the ball is played over the crossbar between the posts from a 45, one point is awarded.
A goal is equivalent to three points.
MOTION 21: This motion proposes a one point score will be signalled by extending one arm above the head and a two point score will be signalled by extending both arms above the head.
MOTION 22: This motion proposes a score will be signalled by raising a green flag for a goal, a white flag for a point, an orange flag for a two-point score in Gaelic Football, after the referee has awarded it by raising two arms above their head.
DELAY FOULING
MOTION 23: This motion proposes where a foul is committed for the purpose of delaying play, the penalty shall, (in addition to being cautioned or ordered off, where appropriate) be a free kick 50m more advantageous than the position where the foul occurred – up to the opponent’s 13m line. However, the opponents of the team conceding the foul may take a free kick from the place where the foul occurred; take a solo & go, immediately, from that position; take a free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
The GAA Football Review Committee members, back row, from left, James Horan, Michael Meaney, Eamonn Fitzmaurice, Patrick Doherty, Shane Flanagan, Malachy O'Rourke and Alec McQuillan, front row, from left, Colm Nally, Michael Murphy, Colm Collins, chairperson Jim Gavin, and Seamus Kenny. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
MOTION 24: This motion proposes to amend a rule delaying an opponent taking a free kick or sideline kick by adding
(a) Hitting or kicking the ball away; or not “handing over” the ball (i.e. giving the ball directly to the nearest opposition player, or the player fouled, in a prompt and respectful manner).
(b) Not releasing the ball to the opposition, or
(c) Deliberately not moving back to allow a quick free or solo and go to be taken.
MOTION 25: This motion proposes that to interfere with a player taking a free kick, sideline kick or kickout by jumping up and down, waving hands, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the kick will result in a free kick 50m in the direction of the goal posts to a more advantageous position
than the original kick – up to opponents’ 13m line. However, the opponents of the team conceding the foul may take a free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
SOLO & GO
MOTION 26: This motion proposes that to take a free kick, immediately, can be done by executing a toe-tap and playing on.
MOTION 27: This motion proposes a free kick, other than a penalty kick or a 45m free kick as prescribed in Rule 2.8, or a free kick awarded
for a ark, may be taken from the hands or from the ground or by means of a solo & go.
MOTION 28: This motion proposes that a penalty for challenging a player taking a solo & go (immediately after the free has been awarded) within four metres of the position from where the solo & go is taken is a free kick 50m more advantageous than the place of the original kick – up to opponents’ 13m line. The player taking the free may choose to take the free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this Rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
MOTION 29: This motion proposes the penalty for a player to take a solo & go having indicated to the referee that they were going to take a free kick is a free kick from where the solo & go was taken
MOTION 30: This motion proposes the penalty for a player to play a ball backwards from a solo & go is a free kick from where the solo & go was taken.
MOTION 31: This motion proposes with the referee’s consent, a free kick may be taken immediately. Exceptions include a penalty kick and a player taking a solo and go does not require the referee’s consent unless the referee has stopped play for any purpose such as to allow for attention to be given to an injured player or to deal with a disciplinary issue.
MOTION 32: This motion proposes that Rule 4.11(a) - The Playing Rules of Gaelic Football - Rules of Foul Play – for a player on the team awarded a free kick or a sideline kick to be less than 13m from the ball before it is kicked - be amended with the exception where the free kick is taken by means of a solo & go.
BLACK CARD
MOTION 33: This motion proposes that to prevent or restrict, or to attempt to prevent or restrict, an opponent from moving or from playing the ball, by holding up an opponent, will be added to the list of Category II Infractions for a black card.
FOULS
MOTION 34: This motion proposes that the player taking the free may choose to take the free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
MOTION 35: This motion proposes that to contribute to a melee by being the third or subsequent player into a melee except where that player enters the melee and solely engages in the removal of a team-mate and that this infraction is re-categorised as a Category II Infraction - Cynical Behaviour.
ADVANTAGE
MOTION 36: This motion proposes that when a foul is committed, the referee may allow the play to continue if the referee considers that this presents the potential of a goal scoring opportunity or another advantage to the team offended. If the referee deems that a clear advantage has accrued to the team offended, the advantage ends and the referee will indicate that by saying “advantage over”, lowering their arm and allowing play to continue as normal.
If the referee deems that no advantage is accruing to the team offended, the referee will indicate that by saying “no advantage gained” and will take the ball back to the point of the infraction.
If a player from the team offended commits a technical foul before they have accrued an advantage, the referee will stop play and apply the penalty for the first infringement.
If a player from the team offended commits an aggressive foul before they have accrued an advantage, the referee will apply the penalty for that subsequent aggressive foul.
If a player from the team which has committed the foul commits another foul when the advantage is ongoing, the free will be awarded from the more favourable position to the team offended of the location of the two fouls.
Advantage shall not be applied if the referee suspects that a player is seriously injured.
The referee shall apply all other relevant disciplinary action even when advantage is being allowed.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns makes a speech to both squads after the Allianz GAA Football Interprovincial Championship Final match between Ulster and Connacht at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
DISSENT
MOTION 37: This motion proposes a free kick already awarded shall be taken from a place 50m more advantageous than the place of original kick – up to opponents’ 13m line if dissent occurs. The player taking the free may choose to take the free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
MOTION 38: This motion proposes that an additional penalty at Under 18 or younger grades would result in ordering the offender off for 10 minutes in the Sin Bin by showing the offender a Black Card. The offending player can be replaced immediately by a temporary substitute for the duration of the 10 minutes. In these circumstances, the following acts shall not count as substitutions.
MOTION 39: This motion proposes that the penalty for a team official's dissent will result in a free kick on the offending team’s 13m line at the centre of the scoring space or, at the option of
the free taker, a free kick from the apex of the 40m arc. Where the latter option is availed of, two points shall be awarded for a score from such a free kick where the ball crosses the crossbar between the posts.
MOTION 40: This motion proposes that the team captain, or a nominated deputy if the captain is the goalkeeper or is no longer on the field, are the only players who may speak to the referee to seek clarification of a decision made by the referee. Such clarification may only be sought during a break in play.
MOTION 41: This motion proposes that the penalty for a player who is not the team captain, or a nominated deputy to speak to the referee to seek clarification of a decision made by the referee or for such request for clarification to be made other than during a break in play will be a free kick from a place 50m more advantageous than the position where the foul occurred – up to the opponent’s 13m line. The player taking the free may choose to take the free kick from outside the 40m arc though the application of this rule would otherwise result in a free kick from inside the 40m arc.
MOTION 42: This motion proposes that the diagram of The Field of Play for Hurling and Gaelic Football be amended to show the dashed midlines.
MOTION 43: This motion proposes at distances of 13m, 20m, 45m and 65m (Hurling) from each endline, lines shall be marked across the field parallel to the endline. The intersections of these lines and of the endlines with the sidelines shall be marked by flags.
The midline of the field of play shall be marked parallel to the endlines and shall have a length of 10m in the centre of the pitch. In addition, lines of 5m in length shall be marked out from the 10m midline, at intervals of 5m across the field parallel to the endline. The intersections of these dashed lines with the sideline shall be
marked by flags. Boundary lines are part of the field of play.
MOTION 44: This motion proposes a semi-circular arc of 40m centred on the mid-point of the goal line, shall be marked outside of each 20m line.
MOTION 45: This motion proposes that the diagram of The Field of Play for Hurling and Gaelic Football be amended to show the 40m arc.
MOTION 46: This motion proposes where a public clock and a hooter are available, they shall be used, subject to Regulations issued by Central Council.
MOTION 47: This motion proposes where a public clock and hooter are in use, the referee shall signal when the clock should be stopped, by crossing both hands overhead and blowing the whistle, and when the clock should be started or restarted, by winding one arm and blowing the whistle.
MOTION 48: This motion proposes the line umpires, where neutral, shall bring to the attention of the referee, any instances of foul play; or
unauthorised incursions onto the field of play or other infraction of Rule by a team official, which have not been noticed by the Referee, by raising their flag. They may also assist in determining (i) the validity of a score and, in Gaelic Football, (ii) a foul as set out in (see
Motions 14 & 15) and (iii) the validity of an Advanced Mark.
MOTION 49: This motion proposes unless stated otherwise, where a rule requires a player to be inside or outside a particular line on the field of play, the player is required to have both feet inside or outside the line, as appropriate.