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Rules Changes effective 1/4/19   27/03/2019

IMPORTANT OFFICIAL GUIDE RULE CHANGES THAT WILL COME INTO EFFECT 1st APRIL 2019


Please note that the Rule changes passed at National Congress will come into effect on 1st April. The most important of these are as follows:-


Rule 115  A Club must have at least 11 playing members that are eligible to play in the age group or grade of football in which the Club intends fielding a team and 3 registered adult officials, at least one of whom must be female, before it can affiliate to the Association. Only a properly registered Club can take part in County, Provincial or National Competitions, or be entitled to representation on Committees, County Boards or Councils.


Rule 337 to read: Underage players can only play in their own age group and one grade above it at Inter-County level. (e.g. Under 14 Inter-County player can play at Under 14 and Under 16 but not Under 17 upwards. An Under 15 or 16 Inter-County player cannot play at Junior, Intermediate or Senior Level). Over 18 grade is deemed an adult grade. 

At club level, underage players can only play in their own age group and two grades above it with grades being deemed as Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. An Under 8 player can play Under 8, 10 and 12. An Under 10 can play Under 10, 12 and 14. An Under 12 can play Under 12, 14, 16. An Under 14 can play Under 14, 16 and 18. An Under 16 can play Under 16, 18 and Adult and Under 18 can play Under 18 and Adult.  


Rule 366 Authorisation to hold and/or to compete in all tournament, friendly and challenge games shall be obtained 48 hours in advance by all teams from: (a) The County Board for games within the county (b) Provincial Council, where teams are from different counties within the Province (c) Central Council, where teams are from more than one Province. County secretaries to be copied in on all applications in the case of (b) and (c) Amendment.


Rule 378 A team shall consist of 15 players and a panel of 30 players. Teams are allowed a maximum of 7 officials, one of whom must be a female liaison officer, on the side-line.


Rule 474 (a) ‘Striking an opponent or colleague with hand, arm, elbow, head, knee or an object.’


Rule 476 If a foul occurs, the referee may allow play to continue, if s/he considers this to be to the advantage

of the offended team for up to 5 seconds after the foul. Where no advantage accrues the refereemay award a free from where the original foul occurred. Should another foul be committed on the offended team within the 5 seconds then the free is awarded from the most advantageous position.Should the foul occur inside the 13 metre line apart from penalty kicks, the referee shall award the free from the 13 metre line opposite to where the foul occurred.Disciplinary action, if warranted, may be applied to the offender, who, in any event should be advised by the referee at the next break in play, that a foul had been committed.


Rule 482 Should an opposing player stand nearer than 13 metres from the ball when a free kick, side-line kick

or 45 metre kick is being taken, or illegally charge a free kick, the opposing team shall be awarded a free kick 13 metres nearer their opponents’ goal.
Rule 500  The ball may be kicked from the hands or off the ground from the 13 metre line, directly in front ofthe goalposts, for a kick out from goal after a wide in all competitions. All players except the kicker and the goal keeper shall be outside the 20 metre line, and at least 13 metres from the ball until it is kicked.The ball must cross the 20 metre line before being played by another player. Where another player offends, a free shall be awarded to the opposing team on the 20 metre line opposite to where the foul occurred.