'Square ball' rule changed
April 15, 2012
The umpire goes for the green flag but Graham Geraghty's goal is disallowed against Kildare in Croke Park
Having surprisingly failed to receive the necessary support after it was trialled during the Allianz Football League two years ago, 90 per cent of delegates backed the change on this occasion. Under the new rule, a player may enter the small square before the ball is delivered in open play. In set play, the old rule continues to apply, meaning a player is not allowed to enter the square before the ball arrives.
"It is an eminently sensible change and one the game needs," former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns said in tabling the motion.
"It is extremely difficult for a referee to adjudicate (the old rule) and virtually impossible (for a player) to execute; it requires a player to enter the square after the ball comes in at maybe 70 miles an hour. We are not proposing it for hurling, there doesn't seem to be a problem there."
Delegates also voted to make the wearing of gumshields in all football games and training sessions compulsory. The new rule will apply to players up to minor from January 2013, and to all players from January 2014. The motion was carried with 86 per cent support.
Meanwhile, referees will be allowed more widespread consultation with their umpires and linesmen when there is a doubt over decisions. Team managers will also be allowed to make substitutions during all breaks in play to avoid stoppages.
Extra-time has been reinstated for All-Ireland qualifier games and will also apply to provincial and All-Ireland club finals, as well as to U21 championship games with the exception of finals.
In his first address to Congress, new GAA president Liam O'Neill said discipline would be at the top of his agenda over the next three years.
"It has been suggested to me that our games could now benefit from revisiting our system of penalties. I am considering establishing a new working group to take a fresh look at this," he said.
"Indiscipline and violence cannot be accepted and it will not be tolerated. It's not enough however to say it. Our rules and sanctions need to reflect just that and we need to rigidly apply those sanctions which the committed infractions require." Tweet
