THE GAA’S FOOTBALL Review Committee today released the first of a two-part report on the current state of the game.

The 28-page document, which can be read in full here, covers a wide range of aspects in Gaelic football at both club and county level as well proposing a number of possible changes.

During an eight-month period, over 60 matches were analysed while more than 3,000 people were surveyed online.

Eugene McGee, FRC chairman, said at today’s launch: ‘The overriding conclusion that has emerged from all this research is that Gaelic football is in a fairly healthy state.

But while the basic structure of the game is in good shape there are some specific matters that have arisen in recent years which are a source of complaint from many football people and these are what the FRC was requested by GAA President Liam Ó Néill to examine and if necessary propose changes for the better.”

The proposals of the report are as follows:

The game

• A ‘mark’ to be introduced for any catch from a kick-out on or past the 45 metre line.
• A clean pick-up should be permitted, subject to the player being in an upright position, with at least one foot on the ground, while making the pick-up.
• Players issued with a yellow card should be subject to mandatory substitution for the remainder of the game.
• After a team has been given three yellow cards, any more will mean the player going off with no substitution.
• For inter-county competitions a total of three yellow cards for an individual player in any one grade in the same year should lead to a two-match suspension.
• The number of substitutes permitted should be increased from the present five to six.
• Offences currently attracting a 13-metre sanction should be changed to a 30-metre sanction.
• A point can be scored with the open hand as well as the fist.

Management

• With regard to club fixture making, the CCC rather than the County Board shall have ultimate control in each county.
• To protect the club and club players, the existing Manager’s Charter become a formal agreement.
• The phased introduction of mandatory coaching qualifications, particularly for managers and coaches of adult teams at club and county level.

Referees

• A distinction between accidental and deliberate fouls be written into the rules, with only deliberate fouls invoking a card punishment.
• The publication of a layperson’s guide to the playing rules which aims to explain the most common rules.
• The link between the head of referees in each province and county and the Chair of the Referees Committee should be considerably strengthened.
• Full and proper enforcement by referees of the rule governing field incursions to address the issue of time-wasting in particular.
• A recruitment drive for referees among recently retired players be pursued.
• Before all club and county games, referees should go to each team dressing room to introduce themselves to the players.

Time keeping

• The duration of the game be changed from 60 minutes to 70 minutes for all adult club competitions.
• A public time clock be introduced in Croke Park and in all grounds used for Provincial and All-Ireland series games in 2013.

The second part of the report will be published early next year.

Read Part 1 of the Football Review Committee report in full here

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