GAA President Burns Hails “Transformational” New Rules Adoption

GAA President Jarlath Burns expressed his “very proud” sentiment regarding the efforts of the Jim Gavin-chaired Football Review Committee. He also stated his conviction that the new playing rules for gaelic football, approved on Saturday, will bring about a “transformational” impact on the sport. The comprehensive rule modifications proposed by the Football Review Committee for the 2025 season received overwhelming approval at the GAA Special Congress held at Croke Park. Among these changes are the introduction of a 40-meter arc, requiring goalkeepers to kick the ball beyond it; a mandate for teams to keep a minimum of three outfield players in each half throughout the game; and the allocation of two points for scores kicked over the bar from outside this designated arc. The GAA president particularly stressed that these newly adopted rules will be implemented universally across all tiers of gaelic football, encompassing everything from inter-county competitions to underage categories. Burns further elaborated, stating, “It’s one step on a process because next year we’re going to trial these rules but the significance is, that this is going to be club, county, underage and across all of the sections of the GAA.” He also noted, “It will be into the championship as well, which is new and novel for us, because traditionally, we never trialled new rules in the championship.” Burns offered considerable praise for the efforts of Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee, which developed this set of new rules. These regulations are designed to enhance the sport’s entertainment appeal, addressing worries that gaelic football had become excessively defensive and focused on possession. He reiterated, “I’m very proud of the work that’s been done by the FRC led by the chair Jim Gavin.” Burns added, “There was a lesson in it for all of us in getting the evidence together, getting the data and doing a lot of travelling around the country asking people their opinion. This time next year, we’ll come back and do another review and we’ll see how many of these rules make it as permanent rules in gaelic football.” The GAA president acknowledged that referees, particularly those officiating at club level, will need to adapt swiftly to the updated rules. However, he expressed full confidence in their ability to meet this challenge, citing upcoming training sessions planned for the coming weeks. Measures within the new rules designed to curb verbal abuse towards referees stipulate that only team captains are permitted to question decisions. Furthermore, the ball will be advanced 50 metres for protests originating from other players and 13 metres for complaints made from team dugouts. Additionally, referees will be granted increased flexibility to implement the advantage rule beyond its existing five-second duration. Linesmen and women, who will now be referred to as line umpires, will also receive enhanced authority to report observed foul play to the referees. The Armagh native further stated, “We are now going to embark on a comprehensive and significant training of referees in these new rules. We are confident that they know the rules already and that they are looking forward to them as well because a lot of the rules are to the ref’s advantage as well in terms of dissent and it gives them greater power to do their job unhindered.”