The Football Review Committee (FRC) has proposed replacing extra-time or penalty shootouts with an 'overtime showdown'.

The concept would see play restart and continue until one team scores. When that happens, the other team must match that feat from the kickout. The ball then returns to the referee who will throw it in again for a 'golden score' and the team that scores next will win the game.

The FRC sees the 'overtime showdown' as a fairer way of deciding games, having consulted with provincial councils on a host of  “rule enhancements” they are considering ahead of being voted on at Special Congress on November 30, and introduced on a trial basis for the 2025 season.

At yesterday's media briefing in Croke Park, FRC chairman Jim Gavin outlined how, based on a national survey, most people would like to see more kicking, catching, long range points, goal scoring and general creative play in Gaelic football.

The FRC’s other main proposals are as follows:

* Four points for a goal and two points for a score from outside or on the 20-metre line and a 40-metre arc, measured from the centre of the goal. 45s would remain one point but regular frees could be worth two.

* Both teams must keep three players (not including the goalkeeper) inside each 65, or possibly a new halfway line, at all times

* Goalkeepers can only receive the ball in the large rectangle or after passing their own 65

* Kickouts to be taken from the 20m line and go forward outside the arc

* A black-card for holding/grabbing the jersey if deemed a tactical foul, and the ball brought forward 50 metres. Contributing to a melee to become a black-card offence and making head-to-head contact with an opponent a red

* A player, or one of their team-mates, can elect to ‘solo and go’ rather than take a free-kick when fouled

* Players have to hand the ball to a fouled opponent, rather than dropping it or kicking it away

* Line umpires can bring incidents to the referee's attention at any time, rather than waiting for a break in play

* 'Forceful' on-field dissent would be punished by bringing the ball forward 50 metres, rather than the current 30, while dissent from team officials or panel members on the sideline would result in an automatic 13m free

* The advanced mark will only apply within the 20-metre line and automatic advantage will apply, encouraging forwards to continue play

* Matches to be timed by a countdown clock, that the referee can stop, and concluded by a hooter - as in Ladies football - signalling the end of the game, likely once the ball next goes out of play

* Penalty shootouts, and possibly extra-time, to be replaced by an ‘overtime showdown’ next-score-wins format, or one where the conceding team has one opportunity to match their opponents' score and prolong the additional period

* Throw-ins to start a half will be contested by just one player from each team, with another on the sideline, and all others behind the 65m lines

* Teams can introduce six substitutes, rather than the current five

* The square-ball rule would be standardised, meaning players could enter the large rectangle once the ball was kicked, regardless of whether it was in open play or from a free-kick

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