A total of 47 proposals had been submitted by the various committees and units but 10, including the structure of the All-Ireland SFC from next year, have been deferred to an in-person Special Congress later in the year
Below are full details of all 47 motions that have been put forward, motions number 1, 3, 9,11,18,19, 29, 35-37 will be held over until special congress later this year.
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- Motions 1-4 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a) (iv) (6) T.O. 2020.
- Motions 4-7 approved by Ard Chomhairle and submitted for listing pursuant to Rule 3.43 (c) T.O. 2020.
- Motion 8 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a)(iv) (1) T.O. 2020.
- Motion 9 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a) (i) T.O. 2020.
- Motion 10 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a) (v) T.O. 2020.
- Motion 11 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a) (iii) T.O. 2020.
- Motions 12 to 47 submitted pursuant to Rule 3.40 (a) (3) T.O. 2020.
(1) That Rule 3.11 (a) The County – Elections – Official Guide Part 1 (page 20) be amended by replacing Development Officer with Planning and Training Officer
(2) That Rule 3.19 (i) The County – Powers (i) – Official Guide Part 1 (page 24) to read: To appoint a County Safety and Facilities Officer
(3) That Rule 3.20 (v)- The County – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 28) to read:
Safety and Facilities Committee
It shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with
(a) Ground Health and Safety Legislation
(b) Chapter 5 of The Official Guide (Control of Association Property).
(b) The terms of the Associations Public Liability and Property Insurance policies.
It shall further make recommendations to the County Management and Finance
Committees in relation to:
(a) The development of Grounds and Facilities, including advice on available grants.
(b) Other duties as directed from time to time by Central Council.
The Committee shall consist of at least six members, to include The Safety and Facilities Officer (as Chairperson) and a qualified Event Controller. The remaining members should be suitably qualified in areas relevant to the terms of reference of the Committee.
Other persons with the particular skill set appropriate to specific items under discussion by the Committee may be added from time to time and shall act as complementary work-groups.
Ard Chomhairle
(4) That Rule 3.20 – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions be amended by inserting a new sub-committee as follows:
Planning and Training Committee
It shall be responsible for:
- Assisting clubs in developing a Club Plan, including details regarding the financing of such plans.
- Assisting the county in the development and implementation of a County plan.
- Monitoring demographic changes within the county, which will assist the county planning process, identify participation levels, infrastructure and resource requirements.
- Other duties as directed from time to time by Central Council.
The Committee shall consist of at least five members, the Chairperson of which shall be the County Planning and Training Officer. All members shall, upon appointment, complete the necessary training as prescribed by prescribed by the Central Council, the relevant Provincial Council or any of their sub-committees.
Note: At Provincial level Rule 3.32 (iv) may need to be amended and a new rule inserted for Leadership and Planning Committee
(2)
That Rule 3.15 – The County – Convention – Agenda and Notice – Official Guide Part 1 (page 22) be amended to read:
The County Secretary shall send an agenda, which shall include his Report and the Audited Accounts for the preceding financial year up to 30th September, with the nominations and motions, to each Club Secretary and to the Members of the outgoing County Committee, at least one week before the Convention.
Remainder of rule to remain unchanged.
That Rule 3.25 (a) – The Province – Convention – Functions / Elections – Official Guide Part 1 (page 31) be amended to read:
The functions of the Provincial Convention shall be to consider audited accounts for the preceding financial year up to 30th September, motions, and general Provincial activities. Subject to the exception hereunder, it shall elect the following Officers: a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and P.R.O. The Elections shall each be completed at Convention on the basis of one secret ballot vote on the Proportional Representation system, and the result of each count shall be announced at Convention.
Remainder of rule to remain unchanged.
That Rule 3.36 (a) Congress – Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 40) be amended to read:
To consider Reports and Audited Accounts of the Central Council and its subsidiary Councils for the preceding financial year up to 30th September.
That Rule 11.11 – Books and Accounts – the Club Constitution (page 178) to read:
The end of the Club Financial year shall be 30th September.
Ard Chomhairle
(3)
(a) That Rule 3.20 – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 26-29) be amended by inserting a new Sub-committee as follows:
Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Treasurer, the Management Committee and the Finance Sub- Committee in all financial and risk related matters.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the County Committee and all its subsidiaries (including any person or entity that raises funds in the name of the GAA).
It shall consist of no more than five members including a Chairperson nominated by the Management Committee and approved by the Provincial Audit and Risk Committee; and up to four other members nominated by the Management Committee. The Treasurer shall not be a member.
The Committee shall provide reports to the Provincial Audit and Risk Committee and the Central Audit and Risk Committee when requested and at least once per year.
Rule affected: 3.21 (i)
(b) That Rule 3.32 – The Province – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 36-38) be amended by inserting a new Sub-committee as follows:
Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Treasurer, the Management Committee and the Finance Committee in all financial and risk related matters.
.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the Provincial Council.
It shall consist of no more than five members including a Chairperson nominated by the Management Committee and approved by the Central Audit and Risk Committee and up to four other members nominated by the Management Committee. Neither the Treasurer nor the Finance Director (if applicable) shall be members.
The Committee shall provide reports to the Central Audit and Risk Committee when requested and at least once per year.
(c) That a new Sub-Committees be inserted after Rule 3.52 – Official Guide Part 1 (page 54) as follows:
Central Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Management Committee, and the Finance Director in all financial and risk related matters.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the Central Council
It shall consist of no more than seven members (one of whom shall be a member of the Management Committee) appointed by the Central Council on the recommendation of the Management Committee. The Finance Director shall not be a member.
Rules 3.53 to 3.63 to be renumbered accordingly.
Ard Chomhairle
(4)
That Rule 1.16 Anti-Doping – Official Guide Part 1 (page 9) be amended to read:
The Association forbids the use of prohibited substances or methods, a practice generally known as doping in sport. The Rules of the Association regarding doping are the Irish Anti-Doping Rules as adopted by Sport Ireland and as amended from time to time (“the ADR”).
The latest version can be downloaded from http:// sportireland. ie/anti-doping.
The Rules contained in the said ADR shall have effect and be construed as Rules of the Association.
International Units shall comply with the Anti-Doping legislation in their respective Countries of operation.
Central Council shall establish a committee known as the Doping Control Committee and shall designate to it such functions of the Association in relation to the prevention of doping in the games of the Association as it deems suitable.
Ard Chomhairle
(5)
That Rule 4.5 – Administrative Regulations, Protocols and Controls – Correspondence – Official Guide Part 1 (page 60) be amended to read:
Official Lists of Players shall be signed by the Secretary or Assistant-Secretary or the Official in charge of the team (whose name must be officially notified in advance to the Committee in charge of the competition).
Ard Chomhairle
(6)
That Rule 6.45 Closed Periods/Collective Training – Official Guide Part 1 (page 120) be amended as follows:
Collective training is where one or more player(s) is/are required to be at a specific place at a specific time on a specific date.
Inter-County panels may return to collective training and/or games for the following year on a timetable determined annually from time to time by the Central Council.
Collective Training for all Senior Inter-County Team Panels which involves an overnight stay is not permitted, from 1st April to 1st November except during the 10 days prior to that team playing in a championship game, or 17 days if the game in question is an All- Ireland Final unless written permission has been given in advance by the Central Competitions Control Committee.
An Under-Age Inter-County Team (i.e. Under 20 or Minor) shall be restricted to a maximum of three collective sessions – Training and/or Games – per week.
Restrictions in relation to collective training and/or games for County Development Squads or any other group of Players under the control of a County Committee, shall be as determined from time to time by Central Council.
To be dealt with by Central Council under Rule 3.43 (c)
Ard Chomhairle
(7)
Amend Rule 4.15 (a) as follows:
- It shall be the privilege of the captain (joint captains are not permitted) of a winning team to accept the trophy on behalf of the team.
Remainder of the rule remains unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle
(8)
That Rule 4.33 Rules of Football – Rules of Foul Play – Technical Fouls – Official Guide Part 2 (page 81) be amended to read:
A player in direct receipt of a kick-out may not pass the ball to his team’s goalkeeper without another player playing the ball.
PENALTY: A free kick from the position the goalkeeper receives the pass, or if the goalkeeper is inside the 13, line (whether he is inside the small rectangle or not) when in receipt of the pass, the free will be from the 13, line opposite where the foul occurred.
Ard Chomhairle
(9)
That Rule 7.5 (c) – Suspensions – Interpretation of Terms – Next Game in Competition – Official Guide 2020, Part 1 (page 142-143) be amended to read as follows:
(c) A walk over shall not constitute the next game in a competition for those Players and Team Officials involved in the team that has conceded the game.
A game or competition, the sole purpose of which is to determine qualification or relegation in respect of a following year’s Championship or League, shall not be deemed to be the ‘same Competition’ as that of the current year’s Championship or League, as applicable, and shall not entail a ‘next game suspension’ arising from a current Championship or League game.
Naomh Pádraig, Fhearmanach
(10)
(a) Amend Rule 6.13 by adding a new section as follows:
A player who wishes to participate in a Senior Inter County Championship game must have completed the GAA’s online anti-doping education course in that Championship year.
Penalty: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/ Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
(b) Amend Rule 6.39 by adding a new section as follows:
A player who wishes to participate in a game in the National League must have completed the GAA’s online anti-doping education course within the previous 12 months.
Penalty: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/ Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
Gaelic Players’ Association
(11)
That Rule 3.18 (b) – The County – Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 23) to read:
A County Committee shall consist of the Officers, the Central and Provincial Council Representatives (who shall be ex-officio members), other representatives of District or other Committees or Clubs as set out in the County Bye-laws, the County Safety and Facilities Officer, the County Referees’ Administrator and a representative of each of the following Committees: County GAA Handball (where applicable), County Primary Schools, County Post-Primary Schools, and, if desired, up to two members of the Association nominated by the Chairperson and Secretary, subject to their approval by the County Committee.
Rest of Rule to remain unchanged.
Comhairle Laighean
(12)
(a) That Rule 6.31 – All Ireland Finals – Official Guide Part 1 (page 110) be amended to read:
6.31 The All-Ireland Senior Finals shall be played in Croke Park. The Finals shall be played on or before the 29th Sunday in the year on dates determined by the Central Council.
Exception: Where the first Sunday of the year falls on January 1st, the finals shall be played on or before the 30th Sunday of the year.
In exceptional circumstances, the Central Council may make other arrangements.
(b) That Rule 6.29 – Provincial Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (page 109) be amended by deleting the following from Section (a):
“Senior Provincial Championships in the Provinces that have to send forward Teams to compete in the All-Ireland Championships shall begin no earlier than the third weekend in May and shall be decided during that month, June and July, unless deviation is allowed by the Central Council on the recommendation of the Central Competitions Control Committee or the Development Competitions Control Committee.
Rules Affected: Rules 6.22, 6.41 (b) and 6.28.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(13)
That Rule 6.21 – Club Championships – Official Guide Part 2 (pages 93-94) be amended by adding a new Section (2) follows:
The maximum number of teams that may participate in an adult County Championship
shall be 16.
Exception: Junior or lower grades” (note: to apply from January 1st, 2023).
Existing sections (2) to (4) to be renumbered.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(14)
That Rule 6.28 (H) OTHER ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS (Under 20 Hurling) – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 108-109) be amended to read:
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship, the All-Ireland Under 20 Hurling Championship and the All-Ireland Under 20 Football Championship shall be organised initially on a Provincial basis with the winners, going forward to the All-Ireland Series. The pairings for the All-Ireland Series shall be on a Rota System, initially determined by the Central Council.
The All-Ireland Under 20 Hurling Championship shall be organised initially on a Provincial basis in Munster and Leinster, with Galway and any Ulster Team(s) as agreed by Ulster and Leinster Councils participating in the Leinster Championship.
The Provincial Winners of Munster shall play the Provincial Winners of Leinster in the All Ireland Final.”
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(15)
That Rule 6.17 – Age Grades – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 87-88) be amended by adding a new section (in bold below) to the provisions for Inter County Under 20 (Hurling):
INTER-COUNTY
Under 20 (Hurling) A player shall have celebrated his 17th birthday prior to January 1st and his 20th birthday on or after January 1st of the Championship Year.
A player who plays an Inter-County Senior Hurling (Tier 1) Championship game at any stage in a current Championship Year shall be ineligible to participate in the Inter-County Under 20 Hurling Championship in that year until after his County Senior hurling team has been eliminated from the Inter-County championship.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(16)
Add a new Rule 6.47 – Higher Education and Post Primary Schools All Ireland Championships – Official Guide Part 1 to read:
- Post Primary Schools All Ireland Championships shall be completed on or before the weekend immediately following St Patrick’s Day Annually.
- The Sigerson Cup Final shall be played on or before the 7th Sunday of the year.
- The Fitzgibbon Cup Final shall be played on or before the 8th Sunday of the year.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(17)
(a) Amend Rule 6.28 – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98-109) by adding a new section:
All Ireland Junior Football Championship The winners and Runners-Up of the British Junior Football Championship shall be drawn to play Kilkenny and New York annually in the Semi-Finals of the All-Ireland Junior Football Championship.
(b) Amend Rule 6.28 – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (page 108) by by deleting reference to “The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(18)
PROPOSAL ‘A’
That Rule 6.28 (A) – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98-109) be amended to read:
(A) All Ireland Senior Football Championship and Tailteann Cup
(i) Provincial Championships – Preliminary Rounds
Preliminary Rounds shall be organised annually in the Leinster (3 Preliminary Rounds) and Ulster (1 Preliminary Round) Championships.
- Leinster Championship Preliminary Round – Open Draw: Three fixtures to be drawn involving the 6 lowest placed Leinster Counties at the conclusion of the National Football League in that Championship year.
- The winners of these three fixtures will progress to the Round Robin stage of the Leinster Championship
- The Losers of these three fixtures will enter the Munster (2) and Connacht (1) championship Round Robin stages. (Note: C.C.C.C will determine annually on a geographic basis which of the losing teams will enter the Munster and Connacht Championships once the preliminary rounds have been completed)
- Ulster Championship Preliminary Round – One fixture to be played involving the two lowest placed Ulster Counties at the conclusion of the National Football League in that Championship year.
- Winner of this fixture to progress to the Round Robin stage of the Ulster Championship
- Loser of this fixture to enter the Connacht Championship
- Neutral Venues to be used for all Preliminary Round games.
(ii) Provincial Championships – Round Robin Stage
Each provincial championship at the Round Robin stage will consist of 8 teams:
Leinster – The five highest placed teams at the end of the National League and the three Leinster preliminary Round winners
Munster – The six Munster counties and the losers of two of the Leinster Preliminary Round games.
Ulster – The seven highest placed teams at the end of the National League and the Ulster Preliminary Round winners
Connacht – The five Connacht counties, London and one losing team from each of the Leinster and Ulster Preliminary Rounds.
- Each province will have two groups of four teams, seeded on the basis of National league finishing positions. These teams will play each other in a round robin series of games – i.e. three group stage games for all teams.
Group A in each province to consist of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 8th highest ranked of the participating teams in the given provincial championship (based on finishing positions in the National League of the Championship year)
Group B in each province to consist of the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th highest ranked of the participating teams in the given provincial championship.
- The winner of each group will progress to the relevant Provincial final
- The 2ndand 3rd placed teams (16 in total) will progress to Round 1 of the All Ireland Series
- The fourth placed team in each group will participate in a knock-out Tailteann Cup provided they are classified as a Division 3 or 4 team at the end of the National League in the same year.
(iii) All Ireland Series:
- Round 1 – 2nd placed teams from Provincial Round Robin v 3rd placed teams (8 games)
- Round 2 – Winners of Round 1 drawn against each other
- Round 3 – Beaten Provincial Finalists v Rd 2 Winners
- All Ireland Quarter Finals – Provincial Champions v Rd 3 Winners.
- A draw will take place to decide the pairings for Games in Rounds 1, 2 and 3 and in the All Quarter Finals.
- All Rounds are subject to the avoidance of Repeat Pairings where possible.
(iv) All Ireland Semi Finals
All Ireland Semi-Final pairings shall be subject to the continuation of the existing provincial rota for Provincial Champions; where a provincial champion is defeated in the All Ireland Quarter final, the team who defeats them shall assume their place in that year’s semi final pairings.
(v) All Ireland Final
Venues (Round Robin Stages and All Ireland Series):
Round Robin Stage:
Each County to have one home, one away and one game at a neutral venue in the Round Robin stage based on draws conducted by the relevant Provincial Council
All Ireland Series
Rd 1 – home venue for 2nd placed teams from Provincial Round Robin series
Rd 2 – First team drawn in each fixture shall have home venue
Rd 3– venues to be determined by C.C.C.C
All Ireland Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Finals – venues to be determined by C.C.C.C
Home Venues for all Senior Inter County Championship games shall be subject to approval by the Central Competitions Control Committee and shall meet the criteria set down by the National Facilities/Health and Safety Committee.
(vi) Tailteann Cup
New York, and the lowest placed team in each of the Round Robin groups enter the Tailteann Cup (Exception: Division 1 or 2 teams based on finishing positions in the National League of the Championship year)
- A Preliminary Round game, which shall not involve New York, to reduce the overall number of participating teams to 8 shall be organized if required.
- Quarter Finals shall be organized on an Open Draw basis. The First Team drawn to each fixture will have Home Advantage (Exception – New York shall have a home game in this Round)
- Semi Finals – The winners of the Quarter Finals play each other on an open draw basis. Venues to be determined by C.C.C.C
- Tailteann Cup Final – Winners of the Semi Finals. Venue to be determined by C.C.C.C
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(19)
PROPOSAL ‘B’
(a) That Rule 6.39 – National Leagues – Official Guide Part 1 (page 113) be amended as follows:
The regulations governing the composition, timing, promotion, relegation play-offs and all other matters pertaining to the National Hurling League shall be decided by the Central Council on the advice of the Central Competitions Control Committee
The National Hurling League shall be constructed in order that it be completed, including Finals, over no more than eight, but not necessarily successive, weekends
Exception:
Nine weeks allowed for Division 1 of the National Hurling League.
(b) That Rule 6.28 (A) – Inter County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98- 109) be amended to read:
Each province will organize a Round-Robin Provincial Championship to be staged before the All Ireland Championships annually and on the following basis:
Connacht (including London) and Munster Championships
- Round Robin groups of 6
- 2 Home and 3 Away games per team (or vice versa) based on a draw for home venues
- The group winners in each provincial group at the end of the Round Robin Series to progress directly to the Provincial Final
- The 2nd and 3rd placed teams to meet in a Provincial Semi-Final (home venue for the 2nd place team)
Ulster Championship
- Eligible teams to be drawn to two Round Robin Groups of 4 and 5 teams respectively (Group A and Group B)
- Teams in the 4 Team Group to play 2 Home and 1 Away game (or vice versa) based on a draw for home venue
- Teams in the 5 Team Group to play 2 Home and 2 Away games each based on a draw for home venue
- Provincial semi-finals to be played on the following basis (home advantage to first named team):
- Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
- Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A
- Semi Final Winners to meet in the Provincial Final.
Leinster Championship
- Eligible teams to be drawn to two Round Robin Groups of 5 and 6 teams respectively (Group A and Group B)
- Teams in the 5 Team Group to play 2 Home and 2 Away games each based on a draw for home venue
- Teams in the 6 Team Group to play 3 Home and 2 Away game (or vice versa) based on a draw for home venue
- Provincial semi-finals to be played on the following basis (home advantage to first named team):
- Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B
- Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A
- Semi Final Winners to meet in the Provincial Final.
The All Ireland Senior Football Championship to initially consist of 4 Divisions of 8 Teams (in the initial year, the teams will be allocated to Divisions based on their finishing positions in the previous year’s Allianz Football League)
- Round Robin Series
- Each team to play 7 games in their Division; 4 Home games and 3 Away games each, based on a draw by the C.C.C.C for home or away venues
- Preliminary All Ireland Quarter Finals
- The teams that finish 2nd and 3rd in Division 2 of the League shall be drawn to play the teams that finish top of Division 3 and 4 in Preliminary Quarter Finals. The Division 3 and 4 winners shall have home advantage.
- All Ireland Quarter Finals
- The teams that finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Division 1 shall be drawn to play against the team that finishes 5th in Division 1, the Division 2 winners and the Winners of the Preliminary Quarter Finals in the All Ireland Quarter Finals.
- Venues to be determined by the C.C.C.C.
- All Ireland Semi Finals
- The Winners of the All Ireland Quarter finals will progress to the All Ireland Semi Finals
- Pairings for the Semi finals will be on the basis of an Open Draw
- Venues to be determined by the C.C.C.C
- All Ireland Final
- The winners of the All Ireland Semi Finals will play in the All Ireland final for the Sam Maguire Cup
- Home Venues for all Senior Inter County Championship games shall be subject to approval by the Central Competitions Control Committee and shall meet the criteria set down by the National Facilities/Health and Safety Committee.
- Tailteann Cup
- New York and all remaining teams in Division 3 and 4 (i.e. with the exception of the Division 3 and 4 winners) progress to the Tailteann Cup.
- Round One
- The 2nd placed team from Division 3 will be given a bye to the Quarter- Finals
- The remaining 14 teams will be drawn to 7 Quarter Finals on an Open Draw Basis
- First team drawn will have home venue.
- Quarter Finals
- The bye team from Round 1 and the 7 Round One winners will be drawn to 4 quarter finals on an Open Draw basis.
- First team drawn will have home venue
- Semi Finals
- The Quarter Final winners will be drawn to two semi finals on an Open Draw basis
- Venues to be determined by the C.C.C.C
- Tailteann Cup Final
- The Winners of the Tailteann Cup semi finals will meet in the Tailteann Cup Final
Promotion and Relegation
- Division 1
- The two teams that finish bottom of Division 1 will be relegated to Division 2 for the following year
- Division 2
- The top two teams from Division 2 will be promoted to Division 1 for the following year
- The bottom two teams in Division 2 will be relegated to Division 3 for the following year.
- Division 3
- The Division 3 Winners and Runners-Up will be promoted to Division 2 for the following year – Exception: if another Division 3 team other than the Division 3 Runners-Up win the Tailteann cup, they will be the promoted team.
- The bottom two teams in Division 3 will be relegated to Division 4 for the following year – Exception: If either of the bottom placed teams subsequently win the Tailteann Cup, they will be the second promoted team along with the Division 3 winners. In this scenario, the 3rd from bottom team will be relegated to Division 4 for the following year.
- Division 4
- The Division 4 Winners and Runners-Up will be promoted to Division 3 for the following year – Exception: if another Division 4 team other than the Division 4 Runners-Up win the Tailteann cup, they will be the promoted team.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(20)
Rule 5, Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Hurling & Gaelic Football
In the light of the serious trend of Aggressive Disruptive Behaviour in Games, that Congress approve, as allowed by Rule 3.40 (a) (iv) (5) and (e) Official Guide Part 1, the following Emergency Rules for the duration of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football Championships of 2021 (all Tiers} and the National Hurling and Football Leagues 2021 (all Divisions)
(1) Add to Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2
“Notwithstanding provisions of existing Playing Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 5 and specifically 5.44, if any of the following infractions are committed, on an attacking player with a goal scoring opportunity, either inside the 20-meter line or the semi-circular arc (a) To pull down an opponent (5.1) or (b) To trip an opponent with hands, arm, leg, foot, or hurley (5.2) or (c) To use the hurley in a careless manner (5.6) the following penalties shall apply –
(i) A Penalty Puck shall be awarded to the team affected.
(ii) Additional to being issued a Caution (Yellow Card), the offender shall be sent to the Sin Bin for 10 minutes.
Exception: If the Infraction is a second Cautionable Infraction or one that merits a straight Red Card, the offender shall be ordered off for the remainder of the game, including Extra-Time when played.”
Rules affected:
Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 2.4 (b), 2.5, 5 and specifically 5.44,Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2;
Rule 1.2, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2;
Important Terms and Definitions 17, Official Guide Part 2.
(2) Add to Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2
“Notwithstanding provisions of existing Playing Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 5 and specifically, 5.40, if a Category II Infraction – Cynical Behaviour is committed, on an attacking player with a goal scoring opportunity, either inside the 20-meter line or the semi-circular arc, a Penalty Kick shall be awarded to the team affected.”
Rules affected :
Rules 2.2 Exception (i),2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 5 and specifically 5.40, Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2;
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(21)
Advantage Rule
(1)That Rule 5.44 Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, The Rules of Hurling Official Guide Part 2 (page 54) and Rule 5.40 Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, The Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (pages 89/90) be amended to read as follows :
“When an Aggressive Foul is committed, the Referee may allow the play to continue if he considers that this presents the potential of a goal scoring opportunity or another advantage to the team offended by creating or capitalising on time and space.
He shall signal that advantage by raising an arm upright and shall allow the advantage to run by maintaining his arm in the upright position for up to five seconds after the foul or for less time if it becomes clear that no advantage has accrued. If he deems no advantage to have accrued, he may subsequently award a free for the foul from where it occurred, except as provided under Exceptions (v) and (vi) of Rule 2.2. He shall apply any relevant disciplinary action.
(2)That Rule 4.34 Rules of Foul Play, Technical Fouls, The Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2 (page 47) and Rule 4.36,Rules of Foul Play, Technical Fouls, The Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (page 82) be deleted.
Note: This Motion, if carried, is to come into effect generally 4 weeks from the date of Congress, but in the event of Motion 1 being approved, where advantage does not accrue a Penalty Puck/Kick instead of a Free Puck/Kick from where the infraction occurred, shall apply in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football Championships in 2021.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(22)
Misconduct at Games by Team Officials
That the following composite motion give effect to the amendments, as outlined, of Rules governing Misconduct at Games by Team Officials and the introduction of Match Suspensions in place of Term Suspensions for Infractions.
(1) That the following be adopted as Rule 5, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2, with existing Rule 5 becoming Rule 6.
Rule 5- Team Officials
Misconduct at Games by Team Officials consist of five Categories of Infractions which occur on or in the vicinity of the Field of Play and which occur immediately before, during or after a Game:
Category Ia
1a.1 To make an unauthorised incursion onto the Field of Play.
1a.2 To challenge the authority of a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
1a.3 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opposing player or team official.
1a.4 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to a player of own team.
PENALTIES ON THE DAY FOR THE ABOVE INFRACTIONS :
(i) Caution offender by showing him a Yellow Card;
(ii) Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure for a second Cautionable Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
Rules affected- Rule 1.4 Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 ; Rule 6.44 (e), Official Guide Part 1-to be deleted.
Category IIa
IIa.1 To use abusive language to a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
IIa.2 To engage in Disruptive Conduct.
Category IIIa
IIIa 1 Any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player or Team Official.
IIIa 2 To interfere with the playing of the Game.
Category IVa
Minor physical interference with (e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to, a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Category Va
Any type of assault on a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
PENALTY ON THE DAY FOR THE ABOVE CATEGORIES IIa, IIIa, IVa and Va INFRACTIONS:
Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure by showing him a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
(2) That a new Rule 1.2 (x), Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 be adopted to read :
(a) To caution a team official who commits a Cautionable Infraction by taking his name and showing him a Yellow Card.
(b) To order from the Pitch Enclosure an official who commits a second Cautionable Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by showing him a Red Card.
(c) A Caution (Yellow Card) issued in Normal Time shall carry over into Extra Time, when played.
(d) To order from the Pitch Enclosure a team official who commits an Ordering Off infraction (other than those specified in (b) above, by taking his name, if not already taken, and showing him a Red Card.
Existing section (x) to become (xi).
(3) That an addition be made to Rule 1.6, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 as item 9 in the Referee’s Report :
“The name(s) on any Team Official(s) Cautioned or Ordered from the Pitch Enclosure and the exact reason(s) therefor”.
Existing item 9 to become item 10 with the words “official or” deleted.
(4) That an addition be made to Rules 2.2 (ii),3.1 (v), and 4.1 (vii),Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2.
After the words” unauthorised incursions onto the field of play add the words “or other infraction of Rule by a team official” and delete the word “or” as positioned in the existing Rules.
(5) That Rule 7.2 (c),Official Guide Part 1 be amended to read as follows :
(c) Misconduct at Games by Team Officials consists of five Categories of Infractions which occur on or in the vicinity of the Field of Play, and which occur immediately before, during or after a Game:
Category Ia
Being ordered from the Pitch Enclosure on foot of a second Cautionable Infraction.
(1) Fixed Penalty: Debarment from the Pitch Enclosure for the duration of the remainder of the game including Extra Time, when played, and may not be replaced.
(2) Fixed Penalty on a second Repeat Infraction (i.e. a third ordering off): One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the Competition in which the third ordering-off occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
Rules affected-Rule1.4, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 ;Rule 6.44(e),Official Guide Part 1
Category IIa
(i) Abusive language towards a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
(ii) Disruptive Conduct.
Penalties-Notwithstanding provisions in other Rules :
(1) Minimum – A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the same Competition, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction – A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next games in the same Competition in which the Repeat Infraction occurred, even if one or both game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition.
Exceptions to (1) and (2) above:
Arising from the National League, the Inter-County Senior Championship or from a combination of both Competitions (all in the same Code), the above Penalties shall be substituted by:
(1) Minimum: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.
Rule affected- Rule 7.3 (d), Official Guide Part 1.
Category IIIa
(i) Any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player or Team Official.
(ii) Interference with the playing of the Game.
Penalties – Notwithstanding provisions in other Rules :
(1) Minimum: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next games in the same Competition, even if one or both game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Three Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level,
applicable to the next games in the same Competition in which the Repeat Infraction occurred, even if one or more of the game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition.
Exceptions to (1) and (2) above:
Arising from the National League, the Inter-County Senior Championship or from a combination of both Competitions (all in the same Code), the above Penalties shall be substituted by:
(1) Minimum: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next
games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Three Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or more games occur(s) in the following year.
Category IVa
Minor physical interference with (e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to, a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Penalties:
(1) Minimum: 12 weeks Suspension;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: 24 weeks Suspension.
Category Va
Any type of assault on a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Penalties:
(1) Minimum: 48 weeks Suspension, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: 96 weeks Suspension, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate.
Suspensions for Categories IVa and Va above shall be applicable in all Codes and at all Levels.
Alternative Penalty to non-applicable Match Suspensions
When a Match Suspension cannot be applied in full or in part on a team official in the specified
Competition, arising from such (non-exhaustive) circumstances as :
(i) The team concerned not being future involved in the specified competition,
(ii) The team official not continuing to be involved with the team concerned
-a two weeks Suspension for each non-applicable One Match Suspension shall be proposed/imposed in the same Code and at same Level (or if not applicable, at an alternative appropriate Level at which the member concerned is involved as a team official).
Definition of “Repeat Infraction”
“Repeat Infraction” in the Section of Rule above means a second or subsequent occurrence of any Misconduct at Games by Team Officials Infraction in the same Category within a 48-week period (or 96-week period in the case of a Category Va Infraction). In relation to Categories Ia, IIa and IIIa, only an Infraction committed in the same Code and at the same Level as the previous occurrence shall constitute a Repeat Infraction.
In relation to Categories IVa and Va, a second occurrence shall constitute a Repeat Infraction irrespective of the Code or Level of the previous occurrence.
Penalties for all Categories on Infractions by Team Officials to be included for Information Purposes Only in Official Guide Part 2 (after Page 93).
Rule affected Rule 6.44 (e),Official Guide Part 1-to be deleted.
(6) Delete Rule 6.44 (e),Official Guide Part 1, with existing Section (f) becoming (e).
(7) That Rule 7.3, Official Guide Part 1 be amended as follows :
(i) Amend Section (j)-Urgent Cases
In the first line after the words “where a Player” add the words “or Team Official”
In the final line after the word “Player” add the words “or the Team Official”
(ii) Amend Section (p) Exception as follows :
” Exception: Where the Fixed Penalty for Debarment,
(a) In the case of a Player from playing for the Remainder of the Game, to include any extra-time, set down for non-repeat Category 1 and 11 infractions is concerned, or
(b) In the case of a Team Official from acting in that capacity for the Remainder of the Game, to include any extra-time, set down for a Category 1a infraction,
the member involved shall be entitled only to written notice of the Confirmation of the Penalty initially.
A member may seek a Hearing on any or all Category I or II infractions (Player) or on a Category Ia infraction (Team Official) involved only at the point when a Match Suspension, or its time equivalent, is proposed but may request Clarification of the Referee’s Report, as provided for in Rule 7.3(s), at any time from the time of being notified of an alleged Category I or II infraction (Player) or Category Ia infraction (Team Official) contained in the Referee’s Report up to the time of seeking a Hearing on a proposed Match Suspension or its time equivalent”.
(8) Amend Rule 7.5 (a) Official Guide Part 1 as follows :
(i) Include the following Interpretation of Terms as (4),with current (4) and (5) becoming
(5) and (6)-
“(4) ” Team Official” shall mean a person whom the Council or Committee-in-Charge considers
to have been a Team Official involved in the Game in question.
(ii) Amend current (5) to become (6) and to read :
“(6) “Match Suspension” is a suspension,
(a) In the case of a player from playing in a game(s) in a specified competition, including extra-time when played , or
(b) In the case of a team official from acting in such capacity at a game(s) in a specified competition, including extra-time when played. This involves the team official concerned being debarred from the Pitch Enclosure before and during the game and from any official role with the team on the day.
(iii) Include the following Interpretation of Terms as (7)-
” (7) “Pitch Enclosure” is the area including the Field of Play reserved for players, match officials and team officials.”
(iv) Amend (d) in its final sentence to read :
” A Match Suspension involves only, in the case of a player from playing in or in the case of a team official from acting as such at, a game(s) in a specified competition”.
(v) Amend (k) (1) to read :
“(1) Where a Match Suspension (or Alternative Penalty when a Match Suspension is non-applicable, as outlined in Rule 7.2) is specified for a particular Misconduct at Games by Players Infraction/Misconduct at Games by Team Officials Infraction, it shall be operative immediately on respectively the player being sent off or the team official being sent from the Pitch Enclosure”.
(iv) Amend (l) by adding to the third line to read :
“For a Member/Player/Team Official : 24 weeks Suspension.
Note- The above Motion, if approved by Congress, shall apply to the Inter-County Championships 2021(in both Codes and all Grades) and except as provided in Motion 2 with regard to Rule 1.4 Rules of Control shall otherwise come onto effect on January 1st. 2022.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(23)
Unauthorised Incursions onto the Field of Play
That Rule 1.4 – Rules of Control – Entry to Field of Play/Incursions – Official Guide Part 2 (pages 22/23) be amended to read:
A Team Official shall not enter the field of play.
Exception: The Referee may give his permission to a Team Medical Officer or one authorised official to enter the Field of Play to examine an injured player.
Penalties on the day for the above infraction:
(i) Caution offender by showing him a Yellow Card;
(ii) Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure for a second Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra-Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
Fixed penalty on a second repeat infraction (i.e. a third ordering off): One match suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the competition in which the third ordering-off occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
Rules affected- Rules 1.2,1.6, 2.2 (ii),3.1 (vi),3.1 (vii) ,Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2;
Rule 6.44 (e) Official Guide Part 1 -Delete. Section (f) to become (e) ; Rule 7.2 (c) Official Guide Part 1 – Definition of “Repeat Infraction” and possibly otherwise (based on Congress decision on Motion3); Rule 7.3 (p) Exception -similar process to apply.
NOTE-Rule amendment to apply upon the cessation of the current Covid-19 protocols.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(24)
Rules of Football, Rule 5.30, Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls Category IV Infractions (Page 87) and Rules of Hurling, Rule 5.34 Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls Category III Infractions (Page 52)
Introductory Note:
This Motion proposes to amend Rules 5.34 (Hurling) and 5.30 (Football) by adding ‘a match official’ to the infraction i.e. “To act by deed, word or gesture of a racist, sectarian or anti-inclusion nature against an opponent or match official”. It further proposes to have the Infraction penalised, consistent with all other Category IV Infractions, by Match Suspensions rather than Rule 7.2 (e)-Discrediting the Association.
Motion 5:
(a) That Rule 5.34 (Hurling) and Rule 5.30 (Football), Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, Category IV Infractions, Playing Rules of Hurling and Football, Official Guide Part 2 by adding the words “or match official”.
(b) Add to Rule 7.2 (b) Category IV (ix), Official Guide Part 1-
“against an opponent or match official”.
(c) Under Penalties in Rule 7.2 (b) Category IV, Official Guide Part 1
(1) Delete the following under Penalties:
-The opening line “For Infractions (i) to (viii) inclusive-”
– Penalty (3) for Infraction (ix).
(2) Add the following at the end of Penalties:
“The above penalties apply to Category IV Infraction (ix), notwithstanding and in place of a provision of Rule 1.12.”
(d) In opening paragraph of Rule 7.2 (e), Official Guide Part 1 delete provision;
“and Rules 5.34 (Hurling) and 5.30 (Football) Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules, Official Guide Part 2.”
(e) In Rule 7.5 (d),O.G. Part 1 delete the Exceptions to Above paragraph content.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(25)
Rule 2.2 Rules of Specification, The Players
Amend Rule 2.2 Rules of Specification, Official Guide Part 2 (page 7) to read-
” In the circumstances of the unavailability or late arrival of players, a team may commence a game with thirteen players.
Players arriving late may join in the game during a break in play but must report to the referee before so doing.
The game shall be played for the full playing time.
Provided a team has fielded thirteen players, including players ordered off or retired injured, the final score shall stand as the result of the game.”
Rules affected-
Rule 2.1 Rules of Specification-Add as an Exception ” As provided for in Rule 2.2 below.”
Rule 2.3 Rules of Specification-Incorporated into Rule 2.2 in the motion.
Rule 2.4 Rules of Specification-Re-number as Rule 2.3
Rule 6.44 (a) Official Guide Part 1 Amend to read-
(a) A team failing to field a minimum of thirteen players for the commencement of a game.
Penalty-Forfeiture of Game and Award to the Opposing Team.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(26)
Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Hurling and Playing Rules of Football
(1) That Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2 (page 44) be amended to include the Puck-Out and to read-
“4.19 To interfere with a player taking a free puck, sideline puck or puck-out by jumping up and
down, waving hands or hurley, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the
referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the puck.
Exception:
A player holding his hands or hurley upright shall not constitute an interference.
PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE FOULS – Free puck 13m more advantageous than the place of original puck – up to opponents’ 20m line.”
(2) That Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (pages 78/79) be amended to include the Kick-Out and to read-
“4.19 To interfere with a player taking a free kick, sideline kick or kick-out by jumping up and down, waving hands, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the puck.
Exception:
A player holding his hands upright shall not constitute an interference.
PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE FOULS – Free puck 13m more advantageous than the place of original kick – up to opponents’ 13 m line.”
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(27)
Rule 1.5(b) – Rules of Control, Rule 1 – Control of the games Match Officials – Official Guide Part 2
That Rule 1.5 (b) – Rules of Control, Rule 1 – Control of the games Match Officials – Official Guide Part 2 (Page 23) be amended as follows:
(b) Injuries: Blood or Suspected Head Injury
(i) A player who is bleeding or who has blood on any part of his body, playing attire or playing equipment, as a result of an injury sustained during play shall on the instruction of the Referee, immediately leave the field of play to receive medical and/or other attention. He shall not be allowed to return to the field of play until the bleeding has stopped, all blood has been cleaned off and, where possible, the injured area has been covered, any blood-stained playing attire has been replaced and any blood-stained equipment has been fully cleaned.
(ii) A player who sustains a suspected head injury, if instructed by the Referee, shall temporarily leave the Field of Play for further assessment before the player’s fitness to return is determined.
In the circumstance of either (i) or (ii) above, a Temporary Substitute may be used, and shall not count as substitutions under Rule 2.4 (i) and (ii), Rules of Specification.
(1) The use of the Temporary Substitute for a player instructed to leave the field under the Rule.
(2) The return to the field of play of the injured (blood or suspected head injury) player as a direct replacement for the Temporary Substitute.
(3) The return to the field of play of the injured (blood or suspected head injury) player as a replacement for any other player if the Temporary Substitute has previously been sent off or substituted.
Other rules possible affected:
2.4 (iii) & (v), Rule 2 – The Players T.O. Part 2 Page 7
1.2 (v), Rules of Control, duties of the referee T.O. Part 2 Page 19
1.6, Rules of Control, Report of Referee T.O. Part 2 Page 24
3.1 (iv), Rule 3 Linesmen T.O. Part 2 Page 26
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(28)
That Rule 1.4 (b) – Aims and Ethos – Additional Aims – Official Guide Part 1 (page 5)be amended to read
The Association shall promote its aims amongst communities abroad through its International Unitsand World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(29)
That Rule 3.35 – Organisational Structures – National – Congress – Official Guide Part 1 (page 42)be amendedto read as follows:
3.35 Congress
The Annual Congress shall be held prior to 1st March. The venue shall be selected by the Central Council, who shall give due consideration to all applications received by the Council. It shall consist of the outgoing Council (voting rights as on the Council), the past Presidents, and delegates from the Counties on the following basis:
(i) Counties that participated in the previous year’s Senior Inter-County Championships
One delegate from each ten affiliated Clubs or fraction of ten over five, but the minimum representation from such Counties to be four delegates. Counties with fewer than five affiliations to have two representatives. The maximum representation for any one County shall be ten delegates.
(ii) Other Counties
One delegate from each ten affiliated Clubs or fraction of ten over five, but the minimum representation from such Counties to be three delegates. Counties with fewer than five affiliations to have two representatives. The maximum representation for any one County shall be five delegates.
The Gaelic Players’ Association shall be represented by one named representative of the Association. Provincial Secretaries and Chairpersons of National Committees shall be entitled to attend and speak, but shall not have voting rights. The President, at his discretion, may invite other visitors to Congress to speak.”
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(30)
That Rule 3.40 (a) Organisational Structures – National – Congress – Motions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 44)be amendedby adding the following:
(v) A maximum of one motion from World GAA.
Renumber existing (v), (vi), (viii)
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(31)
That Rule 3.42 (a) Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Council – Official Guide Part 1 (page 47) be amended by adding the following after “two Representatives of Congress” :
A Representative of World GAA
Remainder of Rule to remain unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(32)
That Rule 3.43 – Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Powers and Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 48-50) be amended as follows:
Re-number 3.43(s) as 3.43(t) and insert a new 3.43 (s) to read:
(s) It shall have the power to decide from time-to-time what geographical areas fall under the jurisdiction of World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(33)
That Rule 3.56, 3.57 and 3.60 – Organisational Structures – National – Central Committees be amendedas follows:
Re-number 3.56 as 3.57 and re-number subsequent rules, deleting (c) of 3.60. New 3.56 to read as follows:
World GAA
(a) Subject to the overall control of Central Council, World GAA shall be responsible for the promotion of the Aims and Ethos of the Association and the administration of its affairs in areas outside of Ireland assigned to it by Central Council provided always that Central Council can add or remove any geographical area to/from the jurisdiction of World GAA.
(b) The affairs of World GAA shall be subject to its Constitution and Bye-Laws as sanctioned by the Management Committee. Such Bye-Laws may be approved even if they do not accord with General Rule provided the Management Committee is satisfied such deviation is necessary for the promotion of the Aims and Ethos of the Association.
(c) The Chairperson of World GAA shall be appointed by Central Council on the nomination of the Management Committee.
(d) It shall make recommendations to Central Council on the recognition of areas outside of Ireland as Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas with the same status as Counties or Provinces.
(e) It shall exercise such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Management Committee or Central Council.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(34)
(a)
That Rule 3.43 (j) Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Powers and Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 50)be amendedby adding the following:
(iii) appoint a Chairperson of World GAA.
(b)
That Rule 3.46 (f)–Organisational Structures – National – Central Committees – Management Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 52) be amended by adding the following:
as well as a Chairperson of World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(35)
That Rule 6.12 – Games and Competitions – Playing Eligibility/Transfers/Declarations – Playing in U.S.A/Canada/Australasia/Europe – Official Guide Part 1 (page 81)be amendedto read as follows:
6.12 Playing outside of Ireland
(a) Any player from Ireland or from an area outside of Ireland which is not under the jurisdiction of World GAA wishing to assist a club under the jurisdiction of World GAA , other than on foot of a Transfer, requires a Licence from the Director General or such other person nominated by him. Such Licences will be in a form approved by Central Council which will specify the period of such a Licence and any conditions attaching to it.
(b) Licences are subject to such additional conditions as may be imposed by the Council or Committee in charge in the area where the holder of a Licence wishes to play. It is the responsibility of the player to familiarise himself with the relevant Rules, Bye-Laws and Regulations.
(c) No Licence will be issued to any player included on an Inter-County Senior Championship list submitted to a Referee in accordance with Rule 2.5(ii)(a) Rules of Specification for any game in the current year’s Championship until his team has been eliminated from the Inter-County Championship (including All Ireland Qualifiers)
(d) A player may only receive one Licence in any calendar year.
(e) Any application for a Licence shall be signed by both the Club and County Secretaries of the applicant player.
(f) A player may not play for his Own Club during the period specified in a Licence but at the conclusion of that period his status will, in all respects, be the same as at itscommencement.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(36)
That Rule 6.19 (5) – Games and Competitions – Eligibility for Championships/Gradings – Club Championship and League Status of Players – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 90/91) be deleted.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(37)
That Rule 7.13 (f) – Enforcement of Rules/Arbitration – Arbitration – Official Guide Part 1 (page 160) be amendedto read as follows:
Disputes may be referred to Dispute Resolution only by members or units from Ireland, Britain or such other Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas as may be agreed by both the Secretary of the Disputes Resolution Authority and Central Council, upon application by those Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(38)
That Rule 1.7 (e) Use of Irish in Official Documents/Correspondence – Official Guide (Part 1) page 60 be amended to read:
Full names of players and signature of Secretary or Assistant-Secretary or the Official in charge of the team (whose name must be officially notified in advance to the Committee in charge of the competition).
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(39)
That Rule 3.5 Club Constitution and Rules – Official Guide Part 1 (page 17) be amended to read:
Club Constitution.
The Official Club Constitution, approved by Congress and set out in Appendix 5 of this Official Guide, shall govern the affairs of all Clubs.
Each Club shall adopt the appropriate form of the Official Club Constitution at a General Meeting.
Amendments to and Amendments of a Club’s own Constitution may be made at an Annual General Meeting, as prescribed in Article 14.1 of the Official Club Constitution, provided that they do not conflict with the Official Club Constitution and Articles or the Official Guide and that they are submitted in writing to, and be approved by the County Management Committee.
Replace ‘Club Constitution and Rules’ with ‘Club Constitution’ and any previous reference to a ‘Rule’ in the Club Constitution shall now be called an ‘Article’
Other Rules affected by this change Rules 1.13(e), 2.1(e), 2.2(a) and (b), 3.2(b) and Appendix 1 Official Guide 2020.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(40)
That Appendix 5 Club Constitution and Rules – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 163-193) be amended to read:
Appendix 5 Club Constitution
Format No. 1 Applies to all Clubs – without Licensed Bars Incorporating Articles 1 to 18 Inclusive
FORMAT 1
- In these Articles:
“The G.A.A.” means the National Governing Organisation for the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes, known as the Gaelic Athletic Association.
“The Club” means the Club as set out in Rule 2 hereof.
“The Official Guide” means the Official Guide of the G.A.A.
“Executive Committee” means Officers and ordinary Committee Members together.
“Secretary” means the Secretary for the time being, or any person appointed to perform the duties of the Secretary of the Club.
“Real Property” means the property of the Club of an immovable nature, comprising any Playing Pitches, Grounds or Buildings, whether of Leasehold or Freehold tenure, with all Fixtures or Fittings attached thereto and used therewith.
“Personal Property” means the property of the Club of a movable nature, comprising all Playing or Sporting equipment of the Club, as well as all Stock in Trade and Money or other Assets of the Club not already classified as fixtures or fittings or “Real Property”, as heretofore defined.
Words importing the singular number only, include the plural number and vice versa, and words importing the masculine gender only, also include the feminine and vice versa.
NAME
- The official Name of the Club shall be Cumann Lúthchleas Gael ___________ the English version of which shall be ____________G.A.A. Club.
OBJECTS
3.1 The Object of the Club shall be the promotion of the aims of the G.A.A., as outlined in the Official Guide.
3.2 The Membership, Income and Property of the Club shall be dedicated to and applied solely towards the promotion of these objects.
COLOURS
- The Club Colours shall be________________
MEMBERSHIP
5.1 There shall be three types of Membership of the Club:
5.1.1 FULL MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Over 18 years (i.e. shall have celebrated their 18th birthday prior to January 1st of the Membership Year) who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A. Honorary Membership may be granted to persons Over 18 years, as defined above, who have rendered exceptional service to the Club or the games or activities of the G.A.A. An Honorary Member shall have the rights of a Full Member, but shall be exempt from paying the Club’s Annual Membership Fee.
5.1.2 YOUTH MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Under 18 and Over 9 years (i.e. shall celebrate their 18th birthday on January 1st of the Membership Year or on a later date and shall have celebrated their 9th birthday prior to January 1st of the Membership Year) who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A.
(Notes – Child Membership of the Association is for children Under 9 years (i.e. shall celebrate their 9th birthday on January 1st of the Membership Year or on a later date)
On expiration of a Child Membership of the Association, a person may apply for Youth Membership of the Association only through a Club for which he is eligible to play.)
5.1.3 SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Over 18 years, as defined above, who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A., but who do not seek full voting rights and rights to take part in the administrative affairs of the Club or the G.A.A.
5.2 Full Members (including Honorary Members) and Youth Members of the Club will also become Members of the G.A.A.
5.3 Once granted, Full Membership of the Club and the G.A.A. shall continue for life, and Youth Membership shall continue to the end of the year in which the Members celebrates his eighteenth birthday, at which time his next membership payment will automatically be as a Full Member, unless in either case the member has been expelled or his resignation in writing has been accepted, in accordance with this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide.
5.4 The rights of any member of the Club shall be conditional upon the member complying with the provisions of this Constitution and the Official Guide, including payment of any annual membership fee and levies.
5.5 Such rights may be withheld, restricted or suspended in accordance with this Constitution and the Official Guide.
5.6 An application for Full or Social Membership must be made in the manner prescribed by Central Council and signed by the applicant. The application request must be submitted to the Club Secretary.
5.7 An application for Youth Membership must be made in the manner prescribed by Central Council and signed by the applicant and one of his parents/guardians. The prescribed electronic Application Form may be completed by one of the Applicant’s parents or Guardians and submitted to the Club Secretary, complete with accompanying electronic payment for the prescribed fee.
5.8 An application for Child Membership must be made on the Prescribed Form and signed by the applicant and one of his parents/guardians. Alternatively, a prescribed electronic Application Form may be completed by one of the Applicant’s parents or Guardians and submitted to the Club Secretary, complete with accompanying electronic payment for the prescribed fee.
5.9 Applications for Full Membership shall be brought for approval by the Club Secretary to a meeting(s) of the Club Executive. Applications for membership shall be approved by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. In accordance with Rule 2.1(b) of the Official Guide, membership of the Association shall only be granted by a club, to persons who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Gaelic Athletic Association, as stated in the Official Guide. A list, in alphabetical order, of the names and addresses of all club members shall be retained by the Club Secretary and/or kept safely on the club premises. Only a full member who has satisfied the condition of Rule 4.1 of the Official Guide may be nominated for or elected to any Elective Office referred to in the Official Guide.
5.9.1 Persons shall not be admitted to any of the privileges of Membership until after they have been granted membership in accordance with the procedures stated in this Article.
5.10 If and when the Application for Membership has been accepted by the Executive Committee, the new Member’s particulars shall be submitted by the Club Registrar to the Central Council, by the process of Electronic Registration, for Registration and allocation of a personal membership number.
DISCIPLINARY POWERS AND PROCEDURES
5.11.1 The Executive Committee shall have the power to investigate and process matters relating to alleged breaches of this Constitution or the Official Guide by Club members in the same manner as a Competitions Control Committee or a Management Committee in Chapter 7 of the Official Guide. It shall follow the procedures set out in Rule 7.3 of the Official Guide. Where a Defending Party seeks a Hearing it shall be provided by the County Hearings Committee. There shall be no appeal against a decision of Hearings Committee in relation to Disciplinary Action initiated by the Executive Committee.
5.11.2 Unless the offence is brought to the notice of the County Committee by the Club, and that body, having considered the merits of the case and having regard to the rights of the player or member, confirms the penalty imposed, the member continues to be a member of the Association and is suspended from Club activities only.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
6.1 The Annual Subscription to be paid by members of the Club shall be determined by the Executive Committee and ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
6.2 The determined Annual Subscription shall be payable on election and thereafter annually, in advance of the date and in the manner decided by the Executive Committee. The date set shall be a date prior to March 31st each year.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
7.1 The business and affairs of the Club shall be under the management of an Executive Committee, and it shall be the controlling body of the Club.
7.2 The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Registrar, Officer for Irish Language and Culture, Public Relations Officer, Children’s Officer, one Players’ Representative, and at least five, but not more than ten other Full Members
7.3 Nominations to serve on the Executive Committee shall be by two Full Members (which may include the nominee) whose membership fees are paid up to date in accordance with Article 6.2 and who are not suspended or disqualified under this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide.
7.4 The Executive Committee, shall be elected by the Full Members present, entitled to vote and voting at the Annual General Meeting. Exceptions: The Children’s Officer and the Officer for Irish Language and Culture, and the Players’ Representative, who shall have participated as a player with the Club within the previous 48 weeks, shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the outgoing Executive Committee.
7.4.1 The Players’ Representative shall be selected by the players prior to a date appointed by the Executive Committee. In default of such a selection, the Executive Committee shall select the Players’ Representative for recommendation to the Annual General Meeting.
7.5 Only Full Members, whose Membership Fees are paid up to date in accordance with Rule 6.2 and who are not suspended or disqualified under this Constitution or Rules or the Official Guide, shall be eligible for election to the Executive Committee.
7.6 The outgoing Executive Committee shall conduct the Annual General Meeting.
7.7 The Executive Committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Annual General Meeting.
7.8 The Executive Committee shall meet at least once each quarter, and four members present shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Executive Committee.
7.9 The Chairperson, when present, shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee; in his absence, the Vice Chairperson shall preside.
7.10 If both the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson are absent, the Committee shall appoint a member present to preside at the Meeting
7.11 The Secretary shall record the Minutes of each Meeting. If the Secretary is absent, the Committee shall appoint a member present to record the Minutes.
7.12 The Minutes shall specify the date of the Meeting, those present, and a brief account of the Meeting, and shall be read to the next Meeting.
7.13 Such Minutes, if agreed as being accurate or having been appropriately amended, shall be signed by the Chairperson and Secretary, having been first proposed, seconded and adopted.
7.14 The Executive Committee shall have the sole right to appoint Sub-Committees and Managers/Coaches/Selectors of teams as required.
7.15 The Executive Committee shall define the duties of such Sub Committees, and retain control in all matters and activities which it considers of importance to the general welfare of the Club, including the disposal of any funds in the hands of such Sub Committees.
7.16 The Executive Committee shall have power to nominate the Chairperson of such Sub Committees.
7.17 The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall be ex- officio members of all Sub Committees.
7.18 The Executive Committee shall have power from time to time to make, alter and repeal all such Regulations as they deem necessary, expedient or convenient for the proper conduct and management of the Club, and in particular, but not exclusively, they may by such Regulations set out:
(a) The terms and conditions upon which guests, children of members of the Club and visitors shall be permitted to use the premises and property of the Club;
(b) The times of opening and closing the Grounds and Premises of the Club, or any part thereof;
(c) The conduct of members of the Club in relation to one another;
(d) The setting aside of the whole or any part or parts of the Club’s premises for any particular time or times, or for any particular purpose or purposes, subject to the consent of Central Council.
(e) And generally all such matters as are commonly the subject matter of this Constitution.
7.19 The Executive Committee shall approve Motions to County Convention in accordance with Rule 3.14 Official Guide.
7.20 The Executive Committee shall adopt such means as they deem sufficient, to bring to the notice of members of the Club all such Regulations and all alterations and repeals.
7.21 All such Regulations so long as they shall be in force, shall be binding upon all members of the Club, provided nevertheless that no Regulations shall be inconsistent with or shall affect or repeal anything contained in this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide, and that any Regulations may be set aside by a special resolution of a General Meeting of the Club.
7.22 Each Full Member shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee upon any complaint or representation sent by him, in writing, to the Secretary.
7.23 A Special meeting of the Executive Committee may be called:
(a) by the Secretary or
(b) by the Secretary, for a date not more than seven days from the date of the receipt by him of a requisition duly signed by four members of the Executive Committee.
(c) Such requisition shall set out the purpose for which the special meeting is required.
7.24 Any Member of the Executive Committee who shall have absented himself from three consecutive meetings, without reasonable explanation, shall be deemed to have resigned from the Executive Committee.
7.25 Should any Member of the Executive Committee resign, be deemed to have resigned, or his position otherwise lapse, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall, at their discretion, have the power to fill the vacancy, by co-opting a replacement from the body of the Full Membership.
7.26 The service of any Member so co-opted on to the Executive Committee shall not be reckoned in calculating the length of service of such Member, if subsequently elected to serve on the Executive Committee.
GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1 The Club shall in each year hold a general meeting as its Annual General Meeting, in addition to any other General Meetings in that year and shall specify the meeting as such in the notice calling it.
8.2 All General Meetings, other than Annual General Meetings, shall be called Special General Meetings.
8.3 An Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time as shall be decided upon by the Executive Committee. The Annual General Meeting shall not be held later than 30th November without the prior approval of the County Committee.
8.4 The following business shall be transacted at the Annual General Meeting:
(a) Adoption of Standing Orders.
(b) Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting.
(c) Consideration of the Annual Report submitted by the Secretary.
(d) Consideration of the Financial Statements including the Report of the Accountant(s) or Auditor(s).
(e) The Chairperson’s Address.
(f) Election of Officers and Members of the Executive Committee.
(g) Notices of Motion.
(h) Other Business.
Note: “Other Business” does not include the appointment of Managers/Coaches/Selectors of teams which is the business of the Executive Committee of the Club.
8.5 The Annual General meeting of the Club shall be called in the following manner:
8.5.1 The Executive Committee shall decide upon a date, time and place for the meeting, allowing adequate time to meet the time limits set out hereunder.
8.5.2 Once the date of the Annual General Meeting has been fixed, the Secretary shall give at least twenty-one days’ notice in writing, electronically and/or otherwise, to the members of such date, at the same time inviting nominations for election to the Executive Committee for the following year and motions for consideration at the Annual General meeting, also specifying that such nominations and motions shall be received by the member by a date not less than fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
8.5.3 The Secretary shall then, on or after the date specified for return to the secretary of such Nominations and Motions, but so as to give the members seven days’ clear notice before the meeting, circulate, electronically and/or otherwise, to the members the following documentation:
(a) Copy of the Agenda for the meeting.
(b) Copy of the Annual Report of the Secretary.
(c) Copy of the Financial Statements, including the Report of the Accountant(s) or Auditor(s).
(d) Details of the Nominations for election to the Executive Committee.
(e) Copies of any motions for consideration at the meeting.
8.6 In the event of the number of Nominees for any particular Executive Committee position being equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled, such Nominees shall be declared elected, and any positions left unfilled, due to the lack of Nominees or Nominees withdrawing, shall be filled by the new Executive Committee, as soon as practical after the Annual General Meeting.
8.7 A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee at any time, provided ten days’ clear notice, in writing, shall be given to the members, specifying the purpose of such Special General Meeting,
8.8 The Executive Committee shall call a Special General Meeting for a date not more than twenty-one days from the receipt by the Executive Committee of a requisition, in writing, signed by twelve members of the Club, and ten clear days’ notice, in writing, shall be given to the Members.
8.8.1 Such Requisitions by members of the Club shall set out the purpose for which the Special
General Meeting is required, and shall be lodged with the Secretary.
8.8.2 If the Special General Meeting is not called for a date within the twenty-one days stipulated, then the Requisitioners may themselves convene a Special General Meeting. If requested, the County Secretary shall assist the Requisitioners in convening the Special General Meeting.
8.9 No other business, outside that specified in the Notice, shall be transacted at a Special General Meeting.
8.10 No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, fifteen per cent of Full Members eligible to vote shall be a quorum at a General Meeting, subject to a minimum of 15 members being present.
8.11 If within half an hour after the time appointed for a General Meeting, a quorum of members is not present, the meeting if convened on the requisition of members shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned and be rearranged at a date and time to be decided by the Executive Committee, provided the reconvened meeting takes place within 14 days of the original meeting; and if at the reconvened meeting a quorum of members is not present within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, the members then present shall be a quorum.
8.12 The Chairperson, and failing him the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside as Chairperson at every General Meeting of the Club.
8.13 If there is no such Chairperson, or if at any meeting he is not present within thirty minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting, the members then present shall choose someone of their number who is a member of the Executive Committee to be Chairperson of the meeting, and if there shall be no Member of the Executive Committee present, then the members shall elect any one of their number to be Chairperson of the Meeting.
8.14 The Chairperson may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any reconvened meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
8.15 Failure to comply strictly with the time limits set out in this Constitution or the non-receipt of Notice of a Meeting by any persons entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting, but shall entitle the majority of members present to seek and be granted an adjournment of the meeting to such date by which they would be given an adequate time to be furnished with and consider the contents of any relevant documentation.
VOTING
9.1 Only Full Members, whose membership fees are paid up to date in accordance with Rule 6.2, and who are not suspended, or disqualified under this Constitution or the Official Guide, shall be eligible to vote at a General Meeting. The onus shall be on the member to prove that he has paid his subscription.
9.2 A Chairperson of a General Meeting, Executive Committee meeting or any Sub-Committee meeting shall, in the event of a tie, whether on a show of hands or on a ballot, have a casting vote in addition to his vote as a member, irrespective of whether or not he had originally voted on the issue, other than for the election to any position, when the outcome in the event of a tie shall be decided by lot. The first person chosen shall be deemed the winner of the tie.
9.3 At any General Meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless, before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands, a ballot is demanded:
(a) by the Chairperson
(b) by at least five members present and entitled to vote.
9.4 Unless a ballot is so demanded, a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has on the show of hands been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, shall be final, and an entry to that effect in the book containing the minutes of proceedings of the Club shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes in favour of or against such resolution.
9.5 If a ballot is so demanded, the same shall be taken in such manner as the Chairperson directs, and the result of the ballot shall be deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded.
9.6 A Secret Ballot shall be carried out to decide the result of any contest for any elective position.
ASSETS AND TRUSTEES
10.1 All property owned by a Club is held upon Trust for the benefit of the Club concerned. The Trust is subject to and governed by the provisions of the Official Guide and the Code on Trusts of Association Property, both as amended from time to time. All such property shall be vested in the Corporate Trustee and/or a number of full members as Trustees.
10.2 The Club shall have power to acquire, hold and develop, lease, mortgage, charge, exchange or sell Real and Personal Property, and to borrow or raise money in promotion of the objects of the Club, subject to the overall authority of the Central Council of the G.A.A.
10.3 The Real Property shall not be leased, mortgaged, charged, exchanged, sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise dealt with without the consent in writing of the Central Council of the G.A.A., or as may be set out in any separate Declaration of Trust.
10.4 (A)The Personal Property owned or held by a Club shall be vested in the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary who shall hold it in Trust for the Club.
(B) The Real Property owned by a Club, shall be vested in the following:
(i) Five Trustees, three of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of a Club, one of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant County Committee, and one of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant Provincial Council; or
(ii) Four Trustees, three of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of a Club and the Corporate Trustee shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant County Committee and Provincial Council; or
(iii) One Trustee being the Corporate Trustee;
For Real Property situated in England and Wales the only available option is (ii).
10.5 The Executive Committee may determine whether the Corporate Trustee or other persons shall be appointed as Trustees for and on behalf of the Club for the purposes of Rule 5.3(B)(b)(1)(i) or (ii) Official Guide and who those persons shall be.
10.6 By way of acceptance of their appointment and as and when required by Central Council, the Trustees of the Real Property shall execute a Declaration of Trust, as approved by Central Council, and which shall contain the provisions for appointment, removal and replacement of Trustees as well as regulating the conduct of the Trustees in performing their duties and exercising their powers under the trust. The terms of the Declaration of Trust approved by Central Council may be amended or replaced by Central Council from time to time.
10.7 Where the trustee is an individual, a Trustee shall hold office until his/her retirement or death unless replaced in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5.3, Official Guide and the Code on Association Property.
10.8 The Trustees of the Real Property, having first obtained the consent of the Central Council of the G.A.A. where necessary, shall exercise their powers and perform their duties as directed by the Club and in accordance with the Rules in Chapter 5 of the Official Guide and the Code on Association Property.
10.9 A Directive of the Club shall be given by a resolution of the full members of the Club, passed by a majority of the members present, entitled to vote and voting at a duly convened General Meeting and when so passed shall be binding upon all members of the Club.
10.10 A Certificate signed by the Secretary shall, in favour of any person relying on same, be conclusive evidence that a Directive, complying in all respect with the provisions of this Rule, was duly given to the Trustees.
10.11 The Trustees of the Personal Property shall invest and use such property in accordance with the Directives of the Executive Committee, of which an entry in the Minute book shall be conclusive evidence.
10.12 The Club shall indemnify and save harmless its Trustees in respect of any loss or expenses bona fide incurred by them in or about the execution of their powers and duties.
BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS
11.1 The Executive Committee shall open an Account (or additional Accounts that are approved by the Club Executive) with an approved Financial Institution on behalf of the Club, and all cheques and or electronic transfers authorised in writing drawn on the said account shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by one of either the Chairperson or Secretary. Only the Executive Committee may open account(s) on behalf of the club.
11.2 The Executive Committee shall cause proper Books of Account to be kept in respect of:
(a) All sums of money received and expended by the Club, and the matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditures take place; and (b) All Sales and Purchases of goods by the Club; and (c) The Assets and Liabilities of the Club.
11.3 The Books of Account shall be kept at such place or places as the Executive Committee shall think fit, and shall at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of the members of the Executive Committee.
11.4 The Executive Committee shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the Accounts and Books of the Club, or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Full Members of the Club not being an Executive Committee member, and no member (not being an Executive Committee Member) shall have any right of inspection of any Account or Book or Document of the Club except as authorised by the Executive Committee.
11.5 An independent suitably qualified Person or Persons shall be appointed as Accountant(s) or as Auditor(s) to report on the Accounts/Financial Statements of the Club for presentation at the Annual General Meeting. If deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee of the Club, the Accounts/Financial Statements shall be audited. A copy of the Accounts/Financial Statements, as adopted and approved, shall be submitted to the County Committee within four weeks of the date of the Annual General Meeting.
11.6 The Books and Accounts of the Club shall be presented to such Accountant(s) or Auditor(s) by the Committee in sufficient time to enable the Report of such Accountant(s) or Auditor(s) to be available and considered at the Annual General Meeting of the Club.
11.7 The Financial Statements shall be approved by the Executive Committee, and signed by two of three Officers – Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer – on behalf of the Executive Committee.
11.8 The Executive Committee shall cause to be prepared and laid before the Annual General Meeting an Account of Income and Expenditure and a Balance Sheet made up to a date not more than six months before such meeting.
11.9 All Books of Account, including all documents, vouchers, statements and notes, as well as all minute books, notes of meetings, original and copy correspondence and all such documents are the property of the Club, and no person shall have any personal title to or interest in such documents to the exclusion of the Club.
11.10 The end of the Club Financial year shall be September 30th.
11.11 Similar provisions to the above shall apply to Clubs entitled to and availing of the provisions of Article 15 below.
INCOME AND PROPERTY
12.1 No portion of the Income and Property of the Club shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit, dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever to the Members of the Club.
12.2 No Officer shall be appointed to any Office within the Club paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the Club in respect of such Office, provided however nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Club of:
(a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any Member or Officer of the Club for any services rendered to the Club (other than as an Officer);
(b) reasonable and proper remuneration to any company of which a Member or Officer of the Club is a director or shareholder, for any services rendered to the Club;
(c) interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by Officers or other Members of the Club to the Club;
(d) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by Officers or other Members of the Club (including any Officer) to the Club;
(e) reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Club;
(f) fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any Company of which an Officer may be a member, holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such Company.
WINDING UP
13.1 A resolution to Wind Up a Club shall be passed only at a General Meeting, specially summoned for the purpose of such resolution, if supported by not less than three-fourths of those present, entitled to vote and voting.
13.2 Any decision to Wind Up a Club shall be subject to the approval of the County Committee.
13.3 If upon such Winding Up, there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatever, the same shall not be paid or distributed amongst the members, but the Trustees shall continue to hold same in trust for the appropriate County Committee of the G.A.A., to be used or disposed of as such County Committee shall direct, but shall in no instance pay or distribute such property amongst Officers, Members or Employees of the Club.
ADDITIONS TO AND AMENDMENTS OF RULES
14.1 Additions to and Amendments of this Constitution may be made at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, providing that the Resolution proposing same is carried by a vote of three-fifths of the members present, entitled to vote and voting, that same do not conflict with the Official Guide, and that approval is given by the County Management Committee for the change(s).
14.2 Members wishing to propose Additions to or Amendments of this Constitution must send notice of the proposed Additions or Amendments in writing to the Secretary not later than fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting as provided by Article 8.7 hereof.
14.3 Where appropriate, no Addition or Amendments shall be made to or in the provisions of the Main Object(s) (3), Income and Property (12) and the Winding-Up (13) Clauses in this Constitution for the time being in force, unless the same shall have been previously approved, in writing, by the relevant statutory authorities.
LARGE CITY OR URBAN CLUBS
15 A large City or Urban Club with major commercial and property interests may have a Club Committee Structure at variance from the standard structures outlined in this Constitution, to ensure proper organisation and governance of its commercial, property and allied financial activities.
Such structure shall be subject to Club General Meetings of Full Members in-
(a) The Appointment of Committee Members who have responsibility for commercial property and allied financial activities.
(b) The submission for approval of Annual Reports.
(c) Like provisions of Article 11 above being applicable, including Annual Financial Audited Accounts of the commercial, property and allied financial activities being prepared and laid before an Annual General Meeting.
(d) The provisions of Articles 10 (and specifically of section 10.9) and 12, of this Constitution being complied with.
A Club Structure, as envisaged by this Article, shall have the approval of the County Management Committee in advance of it being implemented.
COMPLIANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF OFFICIAL GUIDE
- This Constitution shall be read in conjunction with and subject to the Official Guide.
INTERPRETATION OF CLUB CONSTITUTION
- A Club’s General Meeting of members may appoint a Committee with the sole responsibility for the Interpretation of the Club’s Constitution (with the exception of Rules 5.11.1 and 5.11.2) and of any bye-laws and regulations made herein. It shall be named – “The Club’s Interpretation of Club Constitution Committee”
If the absence of the appointment by a General Meeting of members of an Interpretation of Club Constitution Committee, the Executive Committee shall by default have this responsibility.
A decision of the Interpretation of Club Constitution Committee or the Executive Committee, as applicable, upon any question of interpretation, or upon any matter affecting the Club and not provided for, shall be final and binding on the members, subject to appeal to the Hearings Committee of the County Committee in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5.11.1. Beyond this, a member, or the club may exercise its right in accordance with Rule 7.13 of the Official Guide.
GENERAL
18.1 A Notice may be given by the Club to any Member in accordance with Rule 4.6 of the Official Guide.
18.2 The failure to give notice of any meeting or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
18.3 This Constitution shall be taken as an amendment of and in substitution for any existing Constitution of _____________G.A.A. Club as of the ____ day of _____
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(41)
That Rule 3.20(iv) – The County – Hearings Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 27) be amended to read as follows:
Hearings Committee
(a) It shall adjudicate on all Disciplinary Matters where a Hearing is prescribed and requested, relating to the Enforcement of Rules arising from matters under the jurisdiction of the County Committee or The Executive Committee of a Club within the County. Exception: A Hearing of an Objection/Counter Objection is the function of the County Competitions Control Committee.
(b) It shall adjudicate on Appeals that may arise from decisions of the Competitions Control Committee on applications for Transfer Within the County and the Grading of Players. 28 (See provisions outlined in Rules 6.5(f) and 6.20 respectively.)
(c) It shall consist of a minimum of five Members who shall be appointed from Members of the County Committee and/or other suitable personnel. No Member of the Management Committee or Competitions Control Committee may serve as a member of the County Hearings Committee.
(d) The powers of the County Hearings Committee shall be plenary powers.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(42)
That Rule 3.24 – The Province – Convention – Official Guide Part 1 – Page 31 be amended to read as follows:
A Provincial Convention shall be held prior to 18th January. It shall consist of:
- Members of the outgoing Provincial Council (voting rights as on the Council)
- One representative for every ten affiliated Clubs, or a fraction of ten over five, which took part in the previous year’s Championship, subject to a minimum of four and a maximum of six representatives for any one County. In special circumstances, the Provincial Council may summon a Special Convention. Representation shall be determined by the Provincial Council.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(43)
That Rule 3.40(d) Official Guide 2020 Part 1 be amended to read as follows:
Motions to revise Playing Rules may be tabled only in years divisible by five. Any such motion shall be submitted by the date required for submission of motions for the previous year’s Congress and shall be referred to the Standing Committee on the Playing Rules for evaluation.
Exception: Motions submitted in accordance with Section (a)(iv) of this Rule.
In any year in which Playing Rules are on a Congress Agenda, they shall take precedence in this list of motions, or may be debated at a Special Congress, if so decided by Central Council.
The remainder of Rule 3.40 remains the same.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(44)
That Rule 6.3 – Games & Competitions – Definitions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 72/73) be amended to read:
Other Relevant Connection: A player shall be considered to have an ‘Other Relevant Connection’:
(a) With a particular County if:
(i) Either of the player’s parents at the time of the member’s birth were permanently resident in that County.
(ii) That County is the County of the first Club of either of his parents.
(b) With a Particular Club if:
(i) Either of the player’s parents were at the time of his birth permanently resident in the present Catchment Area of that Club.
(ii) In the case of a player whose parents or either of them were permanently resident in Co. Dublin at the time of his birth, that Club was the First Club of a parent so resident.
(iii) County Bye-Laws either define generally or for specific cases that particular factors give rise to such a connection.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(45)
That Rule 7.2 (b) Misconduct at Games by Players Category III (i) – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 125-126) be amended by the adding “with minimal force”.
That Rule 7.2 (b) Misconduct at Games by Players Category IV – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 126-127) be amended by adding a new subsection (i) to read “striking or attempting to strike with arm, elbow, hand or knee either with force or causing injury.”. Subsequent sub sections to be renumbered (ii) to (x).
Rules affected:
The Rules of Hurling. Rules of Fair Play. Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls
The Rules of football. Rules of Fair Play. Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(46)
That Rule 7.3 (aa) (5) – Procedures for Disciplinary and Related Hearings – Official Guide Part 1 (page 139) be amended by adding the following Exception:
(iii) Where a matter is considered to be of exceptional seriousness by the Hearings Committee concerned for reasons to be set out in writing by that Hearings Committee
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(47)
That Rule 7.11(e) – Appeals – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 152-157) be amended to read:
There shall be no Appeal:
(1) Against a decision of the Central Council or of any Unit in implementing such a decision.
(2) Outside the County, against a decision of a County Committee or, as appropriate in Rule, of one of its Sub-Committees with regard to:
(i) Transfers within a County,
(ii) Grading of Clubs and Players,
(iii) Arrangements for the date and venue of a Game (provided that required notice is given),
(iv) Appointments of Referees
(v) The Administration and Control of County Teams, and
(vi) A decision of a County Hearings Committee in relation to Disciplinary Action initiated by the Executive Committee of a Club.
The rest of the Rule remains unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
24.02.2021 Covid19 Update
Please find attached the latest update relating to the current Covid restrictions in light of last night’s Government announcement.
24.02.2021 Covid Update
Covid-19 update: No onfield activity until Easter at the earliest
A chara,
As you will be aware by now, the Irish Government yesterday published their “Covid 19: Resilience and Recovery 2021” plan. There is no immediate change for sport outlined in the plan and as per our last communication to you, it is clear that no on-field activity will be permitted – even at inter county level – until Easter at the earliest.
We will be seeking clarity on certain aspects of the provisions on sport in the new Government document and while the document does envisage the return of inter-county games at Level 4 and of some club games in Level 3, it remains impossible to plan a revised Master Fixtures calendar for 2021, as there is no indication at this point of when these Levels may kick in. The exercise is further complicated by the need to align our plans with whatever is permitted by the NI Executive for Counties and clubs in that jurisdiction.
In the interim, and despite any speculation you may read or hear to the contrary, we would again reiterate that the GAA have not decided on what competitions may or may not be facilitated in any revised national fixture programme for 2021. Such decisions will be a factor of how much time is ultimately available to us, both for an inter county season and for the broader participation levels that will be necessary for a meaningful club season at both adult and underage levels.
The next signpost on the road for society is likely to come in the week leading up to Easter. We will again communicate directly with Counties and Clubs at that point and once Government make clear whether they see any further relaxing of restrictions (for example allowing inter-county training or games) being permitted.
We also want to assure you that we will publish a revised National Fixtures calendar at the earliest possible opportunity.
We thank you again for your patience and understanding of a very trying situation and we look forward with optimism to the resumption of GAA activities at all levels later in the year.
Is mise,
Sean O hÓraín Tomás O Riain
UACHTARÁN ARD STIÚRTHÓIR
New Guidance for Online Coaching of Children
A revised Guidance for Online Coaching of Children has been agreed following consultation with statutory authorities, parents, coaches and the Gaelic Games Associations. The Guidance will assist all clubs who wish to deliver online coaching sessions whether it is for nursery level or up to Minor level or as part of a skills challenge competition or a charity event.
Download Guidance for online coaching of children Guidance for Online Coaching of Children
37 proposals to be debated at GAA’s Annual Congress
A total of 47 proposals had been submitted by the various committees and units but 10, including the structure of the All-Ireland SFC from next year, have been deferred to an in-person Special Congress later in the year
Below are full details of all 47 motions that have been put forward, motions number 1, 3, 9,11,18,19, 29, 35-37 will be held over until special congress later this year.
Click on the button below to view Ard Stiúrthóir report that will be presented during this weekend’s congress.
Download GAA Ard Stiúrthóir, Tom Ryan report to congress Click here
(1) That Rule 3.11 (a) The County – Elections – Official Guide Part 1 (page 20) be amended by replacing Development Officer with Planning and Training Officer
(2) That Rule 3.19 (i) The County – Powers (i) – Official Guide Part 1 (page 24) to read: To appoint a County Safety and Facilities Officer
(3) That Rule 3.20 (v)- The County – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 28) to read:
Safety and Facilities Committee
It shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with
(a) Ground Health and Safety Legislation
(b) Chapter 5 of The Official Guide (Control of Association Property).
(b) The terms of the Associations Public Liability and Property Insurance policies.
It shall further make recommendations to the County Management and Finance
Committees in relation to:
(a) The development of Grounds and Facilities, including advice on available grants.
(b) Other duties as directed from time to time by Central Council.
The Committee shall consist of at least six members, to include The Safety and Facilities Officer (as Chairperson) and a qualified Event Controller. The remaining members should be suitably qualified in areas relevant to the terms of reference of the Committee.
Other persons with the particular skill set appropriate to specific items under discussion by the Committee may be added from time to time and shall act as complementary work-groups.
Ard Chomhairle
(4) That Rule 3.20 – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions be amended by inserting a new sub-committee as follows:
Planning and Training Committee
It shall be responsible for:
The Committee shall consist of at least five members, the Chairperson of which shall be the County Planning and Training Officer. All members shall, upon appointment, complete the necessary training as prescribed by prescribed by the Central Council, the relevant Provincial Council or any of their sub-committees.
Note: At Provincial level Rule 3.32 (iv) may need to be amended and a new rule inserted for Leadership and Planning Committee
(2)
That Rule 3.15 – The County – Convention – Agenda and Notice – Official Guide Part 1 (page 22) be amended to read:
The County Secretary shall send an agenda, which shall include his Report and the Audited Accounts for the preceding financial year up to 30th September, with the nominations and motions, to each Club Secretary and to the Members of the outgoing County Committee, at least one week before the Convention.
Remainder of rule to remain unchanged.
That Rule 3.25 (a) – The Province – Convention – Functions / Elections – Official Guide Part 1 (page 31) be amended to read:
The functions of the Provincial Convention shall be to consider audited accounts for the preceding financial year up to 30th September, motions, and general Provincial activities. Subject to the exception hereunder, it shall elect the following Officers: a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and P.R.O. The Elections shall each be completed at Convention on the basis of one secret ballot vote on the Proportional Representation system, and the result of each count shall be announced at Convention.
Remainder of rule to remain unchanged.
That Rule 3.36 (a) Congress – Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 40) be amended to read:
To consider Reports and Audited Accounts of the Central Council and its subsidiary Councils for the preceding financial year up to 30th September.
That Rule 11.11 – Books and Accounts – the Club Constitution (page 178) to read:
The end of the Club Financial year shall be 30th September.
Ard Chomhairle
(3)
(a) That Rule 3.20 – The County – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 26-29) be amended by inserting a new Sub-committee as follows:
Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Treasurer, the Management Committee and the Finance Sub- Committee in all financial and risk related matters.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the County Committee and all its subsidiaries (including any person or entity that raises funds in the name of the GAA).
It shall consist of no more than five members including a Chairperson nominated by the Management Committee and approved by the Provincial Audit and Risk Committee; and up to four other members nominated by the Management Committee. The Treasurer shall not be a member.
The Committee shall provide reports to the Provincial Audit and Risk Committee and the Central Audit and Risk Committee when requested and at least once per year.
Rule affected: 3.21 (i)
(b) That Rule 3.32 – The Province – Sub-Committees/Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 36-38) be amended by inserting a new Sub-committee as follows:
Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Treasurer, the Management Committee and the Finance Committee in all financial and risk related matters.
.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the Provincial Council.
It shall consist of no more than five members including a Chairperson nominated by the Management Committee and approved by the Central Audit and Risk Committee and up to four other members nominated by the Management Committee. Neither the Treasurer nor the Finance Director (if applicable) shall be members.
The Committee shall provide reports to the Central Audit and Risk Committee when requested and at least once per year.
(c) That a new Sub-Committees be inserted after Rule 3.52 – Official Guide Part 1 (page 54) as follows:
Central Audit and Risk Committee
It shall support the Management Committee, and the Finance Director in all financial and risk related matters.
It shall be responsible for the promotion and monitoring of good governance standards and risk management practices by the Central Council
It shall consist of no more than seven members (one of whom shall be a member of the Management Committee) appointed by the Central Council on the recommendation of the Management Committee. The Finance Director shall not be a member.
Rules 3.53 to 3.63 to be renumbered accordingly.
Ard Chomhairle
(4)
That Rule 1.16 Anti-Doping – Official Guide Part 1 (page 9) be amended to read:
The Association forbids the use of prohibited substances or methods, a practice generally known as doping in sport. The Rules of the Association regarding doping are the Irish Anti-Doping Rules as adopted by Sport Ireland and as amended from time to time (“the ADR”).
The latest version can be downloaded from http:// sportireland. ie/anti-doping.
The Rules contained in the said ADR shall have effect and be construed as Rules of the Association.
International Units shall comply with the Anti-Doping legislation in their respective Countries of operation.
Central Council shall establish a committee known as the Doping Control Committee and shall designate to it such functions of the Association in relation to the prevention of doping in the games of the Association as it deems suitable.
Ard Chomhairle
(5)
That Rule 4.5 – Administrative Regulations, Protocols and Controls – Correspondence – Official Guide Part 1 (page 60) be amended to read:
Official Lists of Players shall be signed by the Secretary or Assistant-Secretary or the Official in charge of the team (whose name must be officially notified in advance to the Committee in charge of the competition).
Ard Chomhairle
(6)
That Rule 6.45 Closed Periods/Collective Training – Official Guide Part 1 (page 120) be amended as follows:
Collective training is where one or more player(s) is/are required to be at a specific place at a specific time on a specific date.
Inter-County panels may return to collective training and/or games for the following year on a timetable determined annually from time to time by the Central Council.
Collective Training for all Senior Inter-County Team Panels which involves an overnight stay is not permitted, from 1st April to 1st November except during the 10 days prior to that team playing in a championship game, or 17 days if the game in question is an All- Ireland Final unless written permission has been given in advance by the Central Competitions Control Committee.
An Under-Age Inter-County Team (i.e. Under 20 or Minor) shall be restricted to a maximum of three collective sessions – Training and/or Games – per week.
Restrictions in relation to collective training and/or games for County Development Squads or any other group of Players under the control of a County Committee, shall be as determined from time to time by Central Council.
To be dealt with by Central Council under Rule 3.43 (c)
Ard Chomhairle
(7)
Amend Rule 4.15 (a) as follows:
Remainder of the rule remains unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle
(8)
That Rule 4.33 Rules of Football – Rules of Foul Play – Technical Fouls – Official Guide Part 2 (page 81) be amended to read:
A player in direct receipt of a kick-out may not pass the ball to his team’s goalkeeper without another player playing the ball.
PENALTY: A free kick from the position the goalkeeper receives the pass, or if the goalkeeper is inside the 13, line (whether he is inside the small rectangle or not) when in receipt of the pass, the free will be from the 13, line opposite where the foul occurred.
Ard Chomhairle
(9)
That Rule 7.5 (c) – Suspensions – Interpretation of Terms – Next Game in Competition – Official Guide 2020, Part 1 (page 142-143) be amended to read as follows:
(c) A walk over shall not constitute the next game in a competition for those Players and Team Officials involved in the team that has conceded the game.
A game or competition, the sole purpose of which is to determine qualification or relegation in respect of a following year’s Championship or League, shall not be deemed to be the ‘same Competition’ as that of the current year’s Championship or League, as applicable, and shall not entail a ‘next game suspension’ arising from a current Championship or League game.
Naomh Pádraig, Fhearmanach
(10)
(a) Amend Rule 6.13 by adding a new section as follows:
A player who wishes to participate in a Senior Inter County Championship game must have completed the GAA’s online anti-doping education course in that Championship year.
Penalty: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/ Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
(b) Amend Rule 6.39 by adding a new section as follows:
A player who wishes to participate in a game in the National League must have completed the GAA’s online anti-doping education course within the previous 12 months.
Penalty: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/ Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
Gaelic Players’ Association
(11)
That Rule 3.18 (b) – The County – Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 23) to read:
A County Committee shall consist of the Officers, the Central and Provincial Council Representatives (who shall be ex-officio members), other representatives of District or other Committees or Clubs as set out in the County Bye-laws, the County Safety and Facilities Officer, the County Referees’ Administrator and a representative of each of the following Committees: County GAA Handball (where applicable), County Primary Schools, County Post-Primary Schools, and, if desired, up to two members of the Association nominated by the Chairperson and Secretary, subject to their approval by the County Committee.
Rest of Rule to remain unchanged.
Comhairle Laighean
(12)
(a) That Rule 6.31 – All Ireland Finals – Official Guide Part 1 (page 110) be amended to read:
6.31 The All-Ireland Senior Finals shall be played in Croke Park. The Finals shall be played on or before the 29th Sunday in the year on dates determined by the Central Council.
Exception: Where the first Sunday of the year falls on January 1st, the finals shall be played on or before the 30th Sunday of the year.
In exceptional circumstances, the Central Council may make other arrangements.
(b) That Rule 6.29 – Provincial Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (page 109) be amended by deleting the following from Section (a):
“Senior Provincial Championships in the Provinces that have to send forward Teams to compete in the All-Ireland Championships shall begin no earlier than the third weekend in May and shall be decided during that month, June and July, unless deviation is allowed by the Central Council on the recommendation of the Central Competitions Control Committee or the Development Competitions Control Committee.
Rules Affected: Rules 6.22, 6.41 (b) and 6.28.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(13)
That Rule 6.21 – Club Championships – Official Guide Part 2 (pages 93-94) be amended by adding a new Section (2) follows:
The maximum number of teams that may participate in an adult County Championship
shall be 16.
Exception: Junior or lower grades” (note: to apply from January 1st, 2023).
Existing sections (2) to (4) to be renumbered.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(14)
That Rule 6.28 (H) OTHER ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS (Under 20 Hurling) – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 108-109) be amended to read:
The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship, the All-Ireland Under 20 Hurling Championship and the All-Ireland Under 20 Football Championship shall be organised initially on a Provincial basis with the winners, going forward to the All-Ireland Series. The pairings for the All-Ireland Series shall be on a Rota System, initially determined by the Central Council.
The All-Ireland Under 20 Hurling Championship shall be organised initially on a Provincial basis in Munster and Leinster, with Galway and any Ulster Team(s) as agreed by Ulster and Leinster Councils participating in the Leinster Championship.
The Provincial Winners of Munster shall play the Provincial Winners of Leinster in the All Ireland Final.”
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(15)
That Rule 6.17 – Age Grades – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 87-88) be amended by adding a new section (in bold below) to the provisions for Inter County Under 20 (Hurling):
INTER-COUNTY
Under 20 (Hurling) A player shall have celebrated his 17th birthday prior to January 1st and his 20th birthday on or after January 1st of the Championship Year.
A player who plays an Inter-County Senior Hurling (Tier 1) Championship game at any stage in a current Championship Year shall be ineligible to participate in the Inter-County Under 20 Hurling Championship in that year until after his County Senior hurling team has been eliminated from the Inter-County championship.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(16)
Add a new Rule 6.47 – Higher Education and Post Primary Schools All Ireland Championships – Official Guide Part 1 to read:
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(17)
(a) Amend Rule 6.28 – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98-109) by adding a new section:
All Ireland Junior Football Championship The winners and Runners-Up of the British Junior Football Championship shall be drawn to play Kilkenny and New York annually in the Semi-Finals of the All-Ireland Junior Football Championship.
(b) Amend Rule 6.28 – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (page 108) by by deleting reference to “The All-Ireland Junior Football Championship.
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(18)
PROPOSAL ‘A’
That Rule 6.28 (A) – Inter-County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98-109) be amended to read:
(A) All Ireland Senior Football Championship and Tailteann Cup
(i) Provincial Championships – Preliminary Rounds
Preliminary Rounds shall be organised annually in the Leinster (3 Preliminary Rounds) and Ulster (1 Preliminary Round) Championships.
(ii) Provincial Championships – Round Robin Stage
Each provincial championship at the Round Robin stage will consist of 8 teams:
Leinster – The five highest placed teams at the end of the National League and the three Leinster preliminary Round winners
Munster – The six Munster counties and the losers of two of the Leinster Preliminary Round games.
Ulster – The seven highest placed teams at the end of the National League and the Ulster Preliminary Round winners
Connacht – The five Connacht counties, London and one losing team from each of the Leinster and Ulster Preliminary Rounds.
Group A in each province to consist of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 8th highest ranked of the participating teams in the given provincial championship (based on finishing positions in the National League of the Championship year)
Group B in each province to consist of the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th highest ranked of the participating teams in the given provincial championship.
(iii) All Ireland Series:
(iv) All Ireland Semi Finals
All Ireland Semi-Final pairings shall be subject to the continuation of the existing provincial rota for Provincial Champions; where a provincial champion is defeated in the All Ireland Quarter final, the team who defeats them shall assume their place in that year’s semi final pairings.
(v) All Ireland Final
Venues (Round Robin Stages and All Ireland Series):
Round Robin Stage:
Each County to have one home, one away and one game at a neutral venue in the Round Robin stage based on draws conducted by the relevant Provincial Council
All Ireland Series
Rd 1 – home venue for 2nd placed teams from Provincial Round Robin series
Rd 2 – First team drawn in each fixture shall have home venue
Rd 3– venues to be determined by C.C.C.C
All Ireland Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Finals – venues to be determined by C.C.C.C
Home Venues for all Senior Inter County Championship games shall be subject to approval by the Central Competitions Control Committee and shall meet the criteria set down by the National Facilities/Health and Safety Committee.
(vi) Tailteann Cup
New York, and the lowest placed team in each of the Round Robin groups enter the Tailteann Cup (Exception: Division 1 or 2 teams based on finishing positions in the National League of the Championship year)
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(19)
PROPOSAL ‘B’
(a) That Rule 6.39 – National Leagues – Official Guide Part 1 (page 113) be amended as follows:
The regulations governing the composition, timing, promotion, relegation play-offs and all other matters pertaining to the National Hurling League shall be decided by the Central Council on the advice of the Central Competitions Control Committee
The National Hurling League shall be constructed in order that it be completed, including Finals, over no more than eight, but not necessarily successive, weekends
Exception:
Nine weeks allowed for Division 1 of the National Hurling League.
(b) That Rule 6.28 (A) – Inter County Championships – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 98- 109) be amended to read:
Each province will organize a Round-Robin Provincial Championship to be staged before the All Ireland Championships annually and on the following basis:
Connacht (including London) and Munster Championships
Ulster Championship
Leinster Championship
The All Ireland Senior Football Championship to initially consist of 4 Divisions of 8 Teams (in the initial year, the teams will be allocated to Divisions based on their finishing positions in the previous year’s Allianz Football League)
Promotion and Relegation
Ard Chomhairle/Calendar Review Taskforce
(20)
Rule 5, Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Hurling & Gaelic Football
In the light of the serious trend of Aggressive Disruptive Behaviour in Games, that Congress approve, as allowed by Rule 3.40 (a) (iv) (5) and (e) Official Guide Part 1, the following Emergency Rules for the duration of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football Championships of 2021 (all Tiers} and the National Hurling and Football Leagues 2021 (all Divisions)
(1) Add to Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2
“Notwithstanding provisions of existing Playing Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 5 and specifically 5.44, if any of the following infractions are committed, on an attacking player with a goal scoring opportunity, either inside the 20-meter line or the semi-circular arc (a) To pull down an opponent (5.1) or (b) To trip an opponent with hands, arm, leg, foot, or hurley (5.2) or (c) To use the hurley in a careless manner (5.6) the following penalties shall apply –
(i) A Penalty Puck shall be awarded to the team affected.
(ii) Additional to being issued a Caution (Yellow Card), the offender shall be sent to the Sin Bin for 10 minutes.
Exception: If the Infraction is a second Cautionable Infraction or one that merits a straight Red Card, the offender shall be ordered off for the remainder of the game, including Extra-Time when played.”
Rules affected:
Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 2.4 (b), 2.5, 5 and specifically 5.44,Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2;
Rule 1.2, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2;
Important Terms and Definitions 17, Official Guide Part 2.
(2) Add to Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2
“Notwithstanding provisions of existing Playing Rules 2.2 Exception (i), 5 and specifically, 5.40, if a Category II Infraction – Cynical Behaviour is committed, on an attacking player with a goal scoring opportunity, either inside the 20-meter line or the semi-circular arc, a Penalty Kick shall be awarded to the team affected.”
Rules affected :
Rules 2.2 Exception (i),2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 5 and specifically 5.40, Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2;
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(21)
Advantage Rule
(1)That Rule 5.44 Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, The Rules of Hurling Official Guide Part 2 (page 54) and Rule 5.40 Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, The Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (pages 89/90) be amended to read as follows :
“When an Aggressive Foul is committed, the Referee may allow the play to continue if he considers that this presents the potential of a goal scoring opportunity or another advantage to the team offended by creating or capitalising on time and space.
He shall signal that advantage by raising an arm upright and shall allow the advantage to run by maintaining his arm in the upright position for up to five seconds after the foul or for less time if it becomes clear that no advantage has accrued. If he deems no advantage to have accrued, he may subsequently award a free for the foul from where it occurred, except as provided under Exceptions (v) and (vi) of Rule 2.2. He shall apply any relevant disciplinary action.
(2)That Rule 4.34 Rules of Foul Play, Technical Fouls, The Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2 (page 47) and Rule 4.36,Rules of Foul Play, Technical Fouls, The Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (page 82) be deleted.
Note: This Motion, if carried, is to come into effect generally 4 weeks from the date of Congress, but in the event of Motion 1 being approved, where advantage does not accrue a Penalty Puck/Kick instead of a Free Puck/Kick from where the infraction occurred, shall apply in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football Championships in 2021.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(22)
Misconduct at Games by Team Officials
That the following composite motion give effect to the amendments, as outlined, of Rules governing Misconduct at Games by Team Officials and the introduction of Match Suspensions in place of Term Suspensions for Infractions.
(1) That the following be adopted as Rule 5, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2, with existing Rule 5 becoming Rule 6.
Rule 5- Team Officials
Misconduct at Games by Team Officials consist of five Categories of Infractions which occur on or in the vicinity of the Field of Play and which occur immediately before, during or after a Game:
Category Ia
1a.1 To make an unauthorised incursion onto the Field of Play.
1a.2 To challenge the authority of a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
1a.3 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opposing player or team official.
1a.4 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to a player of own team.
PENALTIES ON THE DAY FOR THE ABOVE INFRACTIONS :
(i) Caution offender by showing him a Yellow Card;
(ii) Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure for a second Cautionable Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
Rules affected- Rule 1.4 Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 ; Rule 6.44 (e), Official Guide Part 1-to be deleted.
Category IIa
IIa.1 To use abusive language to a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
IIa.2 To engage in Disruptive Conduct.
Category IIIa
IIIa 1 Any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player or Team Official.
IIIa 2 To interfere with the playing of the Game.
Category IVa
Minor physical interference with (e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to, a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Category Va
Any type of assault on a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
PENALTY ON THE DAY FOR THE ABOVE CATEGORIES IIa, IIIa, IVa and Va INFRACTIONS:
Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure by showing him a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
(2) That a new Rule 1.2 (x), Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 be adopted to read :
(a) To caution a team official who commits a Cautionable Infraction by taking his name and showing him a Yellow Card.
(b) To order from the Pitch Enclosure an official who commits a second Cautionable Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by showing him a Red Card.
(c) A Caution (Yellow Card) issued in Normal Time shall carry over into Extra Time, when played.
(d) To order from the Pitch Enclosure a team official who commits an Ordering Off infraction (other than those specified in (b) above, by taking his name, if not already taken, and showing him a Red Card.
Existing section (x) to become (xi).
(3) That an addition be made to Rule 1.6, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 as item 9 in the Referee’s Report :
“The name(s) on any Team Official(s) Cautioned or Ordered from the Pitch Enclosure and the exact reason(s) therefor”.
Existing item 9 to become item 10 with the words “official or” deleted.
(4) That an addition be made to Rules 2.2 (ii),3.1 (v), and 4.1 (vii),Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2.
After the words” unauthorised incursions onto the field of play add the words “or other infraction of Rule by a team official” and delete the word “or” as positioned in the existing Rules.
(5) That Rule 7.2 (c),Official Guide Part 1 be amended to read as follows :
(c) Misconduct at Games by Team Officials consists of five Categories of Infractions which occur on or in the vicinity of the Field of Play, and which occur immediately before, during or after a Game:
Category Ia
Being ordered from the Pitch Enclosure on foot of a second Cautionable Infraction.
(1) Fixed Penalty: Debarment from the Pitch Enclosure for the duration of the remainder of the game including Extra Time, when played, and may not be replaced.
(2) Fixed Penalty on a second Repeat Infraction (i.e. a third ordering off): One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the Competition in which the third ordering-off occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
Rules affected-Rule1.4, Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2 ;Rule 6.44(e),Official Guide Part 1
Category IIa
(i) Abusive language towards a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
(ii) Disruptive Conduct.
Penalties-Notwithstanding provisions in other Rules :
(1) Minimum – A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the same Competition, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction – A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next games in the same Competition in which the Repeat Infraction occurred, even if one or both game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition.
Exceptions to (1) and (2) above:
Arising from the National League, the Inter-County Senior Championship or from a combination of both Competitions (all in the same Code), the above Penalties shall be substituted by:
(1) Minimum: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.
Rule affected- Rule 7.3 (d), Official Guide Part 1.
Category IIIa
(i) Any type of physical interference with an Opposing Player or Team Official.
(ii) Interference with the playing of the Game.
Penalties – Notwithstanding provisions in other Rules :
(1) Minimum: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next games in the same Competition, even if one or both game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Three Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level,
applicable to the next games in the same Competition in which the Repeat Infraction occurred, even if one or more of the game(s) occur(s) in the following year’s competition.
Exceptions to (1) and (2) above:
Arising from the National League, the Inter-County Senior Championship or from a combination of both Competitions (all in the same Code), the above Penalties shall be substituted by:
(1) Minimum: A Two Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next
games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Three Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same Level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or more games occur(s) in the following year.
Category IVa
Minor physical interference with (e.g. laying a hand on, pushing, pulling or jostling), threatening or abusive conduct towards, or threatening language to, a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Penalties:
(1) Minimum: 12 weeks Suspension;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: 24 weeks Suspension.
Category Va
Any type of assault on a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.
Penalties:
(1) Minimum: 48 weeks Suspension, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate;
(2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: 96 weeks Suspension, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate.
Suspensions for Categories IVa and Va above shall be applicable in all Codes and at all Levels.
Alternative Penalty to non-applicable Match Suspensions
When a Match Suspension cannot be applied in full or in part on a team official in the specified
Competition, arising from such (non-exhaustive) circumstances as :
(i) The team concerned not being future involved in the specified competition,
(ii) The team official not continuing to be involved with the team concerned
-a two weeks Suspension for each non-applicable One Match Suspension shall be proposed/imposed in the same Code and at same Level (or if not applicable, at an alternative appropriate Level at which the member concerned is involved as a team official).
Definition of “Repeat Infraction”
“Repeat Infraction” in the Section of Rule above means a second or subsequent occurrence of any Misconduct at Games by Team Officials Infraction in the same Category within a 48-week period (or 96-week period in the case of a Category Va Infraction). In relation to Categories Ia, IIa and IIIa, only an Infraction committed in the same Code and at the same Level as the previous occurrence shall constitute a Repeat Infraction.
In relation to Categories IVa and Va, a second occurrence shall constitute a Repeat Infraction irrespective of the Code or Level of the previous occurrence.
Penalties for all Categories on Infractions by Team Officials to be included for Information Purposes Only in Official Guide Part 2 (after Page 93).
Rule affected Rule 6.44 (e),Official Guide Part 1-to be deleted.
(6) Delete Rule 6.44 (e),Official Guide Part 1, with existing Section (f) becoming (e).
(7) That Rule 7.3, Official Guide Part 1 be amended as follows :
(i) Amend Section (j)-Urgent Cases
In the first line after the words “where a Player” add the words “or Team Official”
In the final line after the word “Player” add the words “or the Team Official”
(ii) Amend Section (p) Exception as follows :
” Exception: Where the Fixed Penalty for Debarment,
(a) In the case of a Player from playing for the Remainder of the Game, to include any extra-time, set down for non-repeat Category 1 and 11 infractions is concerned, or
(b) In the case of a Team Official from acting in that capacity for the Remainder of the Game, to include any extra-time, set down for a Category 1a infraction,
the member involved shall be entitled only to written notice of the Confirmation of the Penalty initially.
A member may seek a Hearing on any or all Category I or II infractions (Player) or on a Category Ia infraction (Team Official) involved only at the point when a Match Suspension, or its time equivalent, is proposed but may request Clarification of the Referee’s Report, as provided for in Rule 7.3(s), at any time from the time of being notified of an alleged Category I or II infraction (Player) or Category Ia infraction (Team Official) contained in the Referee’s Report up to the time of seeking a Hearing on a proposed Match Suspension or its time equivalent”.
(8) Amend Rule 7.5 (a) Official Guide Part 1 as follows :
(i) Include the following Interpretation of Terms as (4),with current (4) and (5) becoming
(5) and (6)-
“(4) ” Team Official” shall mean a person whom the Council or Committee-in-Charge considers
to have been a Team Official involved in the Game in question.
(ii) Amend current (5) to become (6) and to read :
“(6) “Match Suspension” is a suspension,
(a) In the case of a player from playing in a game(s) in a specified competition, including extra-time when played , or
(b) In the case of a team official from acting in such capacity at a game(s) in a specified competition, including extra-time when played. This involves the team official concerned being debarred from the Pitch Enclosure before and during the game and from any official role with the team on the day.
(iii) Include the following Interpretation of Terms as (7)-
” (7) “Pitch Enclosure” is the area including the Field of Play reserved for players, match officials and team officials.”
(iv) Amend (d) in its final sentence to read :
” A Match Suspension involves only, in the case of a player from playing in or in the case of a team official from acting as such at, a game(s) in a specified competition”.
(v) Amend (k) (1) to read :
“(1) Where a Match Suspension (or Alternative Penalty when a Match Suspension is non-applicable, as outlined in Rule 7.2) is specified for a particular Misconduct at Games by Players Infraction/Misconduct at Games by Team Officials Infraction, it shall be operative immediately on respectively the player being sent off or the team official being sent from the Pitch Enclosure”.
(iv) Amend (l) by adding to the third line to read :
“For a Member/Player/Team Official : 24 weeks Suspension.
Note- The above Motion, if approved by Congress, shall apply to the Inter-County Championships 2021(in both Codes and all Grades) and except as provided in Motion 2 with regard to Rule 1.4 Rules of Control shall otherwise come onto effect on January 1st. 2022.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(23)
Unauthorised Incursions onto the Field of Play
That Rule 1.4 – Rules of Control – Entry to Field of Play/Incursions – Official Guide Part 2 (pages 22/23) be amended to read:
A Team Official shall not enter the field of play.
Exception: The Referee may give his permission to a Team Medical Officer or one authorised official to enter the Field of Play to examine an injured player.
Penalties on the day for the above infraction:
(i) Caution offender by showing him a Yellow Card;
(ii) Order offender from the Pitch Enclosure for a second Infraction by showing him a second Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. The offender is debarred from the Pitch Enclosure for the remainder of the Game, including any Extra-Time, when played, and he may not be replaced.
Fixed penalty on a second repeat infraction (i.e. a third ordering off): One match suspension in the same Code and at the same Level, applicable to the next game in the competition in which the third ordering-off occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
Rules affected- Rules 1.2,1.6, 2.2 (ii),3.1 (vi),3.1 (vii) ,Rules of Control, Official Guide Part 2;
Rule 6.44 (e) Official Guide Part 1 -Delete. Section (f) to become (e) ; Rule 7.2 (c) Official Guide Part 1 – Definition of “Repeat Infraction” and possibly otherwise (based on Congress decision on Motion3); Rule 7.3 (p) Exception -similar process to apply.
NOTE-Rule amendment to apply upon the cessation of the current Covid-19 protocols.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(24)
Rules of Football, Rule 5.30, Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls Category IV Infractions (Page 87) and Rules of Hurling, Rule 5.34 Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls Category III Infractions (Page 52)
Introductory Note:
This Motion proposes to amend Rules 5.34 (Hurling) and 5.30 (Football) by adding ‘a match official’ to the infraction i.e. “To act by deed, word or gesture of a racist, sectarian or anti-inclusion nature against an opponent or match official”. It further proposes to have the Infraction penalised, consistent with all other Category IV Infractions, by Match Suspensions rather than Rule 7.2 (e)-Discrediting the Association.
Motion 5:
(a) That Rule 5.34 (Hurling) and Rule 5.30 (Football), Rules of Foul Play, Aggressive Fouls, Category IV Infractions, Playing Rules of Hurling and Football, Official Guide Part 2 by adding the words “or match official”.
(b) Add to Rule 7.2 (b) Category IV (ix), Official Guide Part 1-
“against an opponent or match official”.
(c) Under Penalties in Rule 7.2 (b) Category IV, Official Guide Part 1
(1) Delete the following under Penalties:
-The opening line “For Infractions (i) to (viii) inclusive-”
– Penalty (3) for Infraction (ix).
(2) Add the following at the end of Penalties:
“The above penalties apply to Category IV Infraction (ix), notwithstanding and in place of a provision of Rule 1.12.”
(d) In opening paragraph of Rule 7.2 (e), Official Guide Part 1 delete provision;
“and Rules 5.34 (Hurling) and 5.30 (Football) Aggressive Fouls, Playing Rules, Official Guide Part 2.”
(e) In Rule 7.5 (d),O.G. Part 1 delete the Exceptions to Above paragraph content.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(25)
Rule 2.2 Rules of Specification, The Players
Amend Rule 2.2 Rules of Specification, Official Guide Part 2 (page 7) to read-
” In the circumstances of the unavailability or late arrival of players, a team may commence a game with thirteen players.
Players arriving late may join in the game during a break in play but must report to the referee before so doing.
The game shall be played for the full playing time.
Provided a team has fielded thirteen players, including players ordered off or retired injured, the final score shall stand as the result of the game.”
Rules affected-
Rule 2.1 Rules of Specification-Add as an Exception ” As provided for in Rule 2.2 below.”
Rule 2.3 Rules of Specification-Incorporated into Rule 2.2 in the motion.
Rule 2.4 Rules of Specification-Re-number as Rule 2.3
Rule 6.44 (a) Official Guide Part 1 Amend to read-
(a) A team failing to field a minimum of thirteen players for the commencement of a game.
Penalty-Forfeiture of Game and Award to the Opposing Team.
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(26)
Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Hurling and Playing Rules of Football
(1) That Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Hurling, Official Guide Part 2 (page 44) be amended to include the Puck-Out and to read-
“4.19 To interfere with a player taking a free puck, sideline puck or puck-out by jumping up and
down, waving hands or hurley, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the
referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the puck.
Exception:
A player holding his hands or hurley upright shall not constitute an interference.
PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE FOULS – Free puck 13m more advantageous than the place of original puck – up to opponents’ 20m line.”
(2) That Rule 4.19 Playing Rules of Football, Official Guide Part 2 (pages 78/79) be amended to include the Kick-Out and to read-
“4.19 To interfere with a player taking a free kick, sideline kick or kick-out by jumping up and down, waving hands, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the puck.
Exception:
A player holding his hands upright shall not constitute an interference.
PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE FOULS – Free puck 13m more advantageous than the place of original kick – up to opponents’ 13 m line.”
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(27)
Rule 1.5(b) – Rules of Control, Rule 1 – Control of the games Match Officials – Official Guide Part 2
That Rule 1.5 (b) – Rules of Control, Rule 1 – Control of the games Match Officials – Official Guide Part 2 (Page 23) be amended as follows:
(b) Injuries: Blood or Suspected Head Injury
(i) A player who is bleeding or who has blood on any part of his body, playing attire or playing equipment, as a result of an injury sustained during play shall on the instruction of the Referee, immediately leave the field of play to receive medical and/or other attention. He shall not be allowed to return to the field of play until the bleeding has stopped, all blood has been cleaned off and, where possible, the injured area has been covered, any blood-stained playing attire has been replaced and any blood-stained equipment has been fully cleaned.
(ii) A player who sustains a suspected head injury, if instructed by the Referee, shall temporarily leave the Field of Play for further assessment before the player’s fitness to return is determined.
In the circumstance of either (i) or (ii) above, a Temporary Substitute may be used, and shall not count as substitutions under Rule 2.4 (i) and (ii), Rules of Specification.
(1) The use of the Temporary Substitute for a player instructed to leave the field under the Rule.
(2) The return to the field of play of the injured (blood or suspected head injury) player as a direct replacement for the Temporary Substitute.
(3) The return to the field of play of the injured (blood or suspected head injury) player as a replacement for any other player if the Temporary Substitute has previously been sent off or substituted.
Other rules possible affected:
2.4 (iii) & (v), Rule 2 – The Players T.O. Part 2 Page 7
1.2 (v), Rules of Control, duties of the referee T.O. Part 2 Page 19
1.6, Rules of Control, Report of Referee T.O. Part 2 Page 24
3.1 (iv), Rule 3 Linesmen T.O. Part 2 Page 26
Ard Chomhairle/Standing Committee on Playing Rules
(28)
That Rule 1.4 (b) – Aims and Ethos – Additional Aims – Official Guide Part 1 (page 5)be amended to read
The Association shall promote its aims amongst communities abroad through its International Unitsand World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(29)
That Rule 3.35 – Organisational Structures – National – Congress – Official Guide Part 1 (page 42)be amendedto read as follows:
3.35 Congress
The Annual Congress shall be held prior to 1st March. The venue shall be selected by the Central Council, who shall give due consideration to all applications received by the Council. It shall consist of the outgoing Council (voting rights as on the Council), the past Presidents, and delegates from the Counties on the following basis:
(i) Counties that participated in the previous year’s Senior Inter-County Championships
One delegate from each ten affiliated Clubs or fraction of ten over five, but the minimum representation from such Counties to be four delegates. Counties with fewer than five affiliations to have two representatives. The maximum representation for any one County shall be ten delegates.
(ii) Other Counties
One delegate from each ten affiliated Clubs or fraction of ten over five, but the minimum representation from such Counties to be three delegates. Counties with fewer than five affiliations to have two representatives. The maximum representation for any one County shall be five delegates.
The Gaelic Players’ Association shall be represented by one named representative of the Association. Provincial Secretaries and Chairpersons of National Committees shall be entitled to attend and speak, but shall not have voting rights. The President, at his discretion, may invite other visitors to Congress to speak.”
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(30)
That Rule 3.40 (a) Organisational Structures – National – Congress – Motions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 44)be amendedby adding the following:
(v) A maximum of one motion from World GAA.
Renumber existing (v), (vi), (viii)
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(31)
That Rule 3.42 (a) Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Council – Official Guide Part 1 (page 47) be amended by adding the following after “two Representatives of Congress” :
A Representative of World GAA
Remainder of Rule to remain unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(32)
That Rule 3.43 – Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Powers and Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 48-50) be amended as follows:
Re-number 3.43(s) as 3.43(t) and insert a new 3.43 (s) to read:
(s) It shall have the power to decide from time-to-time what geographical areas fall under the jurisdiction of World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(33)
That Rule 3.56, 3.57 and 3.60 – Organisational Structures – National – Central Committees be amendedas follows:
Re-number 3.56 as 3.57 and re-number subsequent rules, deleting (c) of 3.60. New 3.56 to read as follows:
World GAA
(a) Subject to the overall control of Central Council, World GAA shall be responsible for the promotion of the Aims and Ethos of the Association and the administration of its affairs in areas outside of Ireland assigned to it by Central Council provided always that Central Council can add or remove any geographical area to/from the jurisdiction of World GAA.
(b) The affairs of World GAA shall be subject to its Constitution and Bye-Laws as sanctioned by the Management Committee. Such Bye-Laws may be approved even if they do not accord with General Rule provided the Management Committee is satisfied such deviation is necessary for the promotion of the Aims and Ethos of the Association.
(c) The Chairperson of World GAA shall be appointed by Central Council on the nomination of the Management Committee.
(d) It shall make recommendations to Central Council on the recognition of areas outside of Ireland as Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas with the same status as Counties or Provinces.
(e) It shall exercise such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Management Committee or Central Council.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(34)
(a)
That Rule 3.43 (j) Organisational Structures – National – Central Council – Powers and Functions – Official Guide Part 1 (page 50)be amendedby adding the following:
(iii) appoint a Chairperson of World GAA.
(b)
That Rule 3.46 (f)–Organisational Structures – National – Central Committees – Management Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 52) be amended by adding the following:
as well as a Chairperson of World GAA.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(35)
That Rule 6.12 – Games and Competitions – Playing Eligibility/Transfers/Declarations – Playing in U.S.A/Canada/Australasia/Europe – Official Guide Part 1 (page 81)be amendedto read as follows:
6.12 Playing outside of Ireland
(a) Any player from Ireland or from an area outside of Ireland which is not under the jurisdiction of World GAA wishing to assist a club under the jurisdiction of World GAA , other than on foot of a Transfer, requires a Licence from the Director General or such other person nominated by him. Such Licences will be in a form approved by Central Council which will specify the period of such a Licence and any conditions attaching to it.
(b) Licences are subject to such additional conditions as may be imposed by the Council or Committee in charge in the area where the holder of a Licence wishes to play. It is the responsibility of the player to familiarise himself with the relevant Rules, Bye-Laws and Regulations.
(c) No Licence will be issued to any player included on an Inter-County Senior Championship list submitted to a Referee in accordance with Rule 2.5(ii)(a) Rules of Specification for any game in the current year’s Championship until his team has been eliminated from the Inter-County Championship (including All Ireland Qualifiers)
(d) A player may only receive one Licence in any calendar year.
(e) Any application for a Licence shall be signed by both the Club and County Secretaries of the applicant player.
(f) A player may not play for his Own Club during the period specified in a Licence but at the conclusion of that period his status will, in all respects, be the same as at itscommencement.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(36)
That Rule 6.19 (5) – Games and Competitions – Eligibility for Championships/Gradings – Club Championship and League Status of Players – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 90/91) be deleted.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(37)
That Rule 7.13 (f) – Enforcement of Rules/Arbitration – Arbitration – Official Guide Part 1 (page 160) be amendedto read as follows:
Disputes may be referred to Dispute Resolution only by members or units from Ireland, Britain or such other Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas as may be agreed by both the Secretary of the Disputes Resolution Authority and Central Council, upon application by those Counties, Provinces or Administrative Areas.
Ard Chomhairle/International Workgroup
(38)
That Rule 1.7 (e) Use of Irish in Official Documents/Correspondence – Official Guide (Part 1) page 60 be amended to read:
Full names of players and signature of Secretary or Assistant-Secretary or the Official in charge of the team (whose name must be officially notified in advance to the Committee in charge of the competition).
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(39)
That Rule 3.5 Club Constitution and Rules – Official Guide Part 1 (page 17) be amended to read:
Club Constitution.
The Official Club Constitution, approved by Congress and set out in Appendix 5 of this Official Guide, shall govern the affairs of all Clubs.
Each Club shall adopt the appropriate form of the Official Club Constitution at a General Meeting.
Amendments to and Amendments of a Club’s own Constitution may be made at an Annual General Meeting, as prescribed in Article 14.1 of the Official Club Constitution, provided that they do not conflict with the Official Club Constitution and Articles or the Official Guide and that they are submitted in writing to, and be approved by the County Management Committee.
Replace ‘Club Constitution and Rules’ with ‘Club Constitution’ and any previous reference to a ‘Rule’ in the Club Constitution shall now be called an ‘Article’
Other Rules affected by this change Rules 1.13(e), 2.1(e), 2.2(a) and (b), 3.2(b) and Appendix 1 Official Guide 2020.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(40)
That Appendix 5 Club Constitution and Rules – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 163-193) be amended to read:
Appendix 5 Club Constitution
Format No. 1 Applies to all Clubs – without Licensed Bars Incorporating Articles 1 to 18 Inclusive
FORMAT 1
“The G.A.A.” means the National Governing Organisation for the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes, known as the Gaelic Athletic Association.
“The Club” means the Club as set out in Rule 2 hereof.
“The Official Guide” means the Official Guide of the G.A.A.
“Executive Committee” means Officers and ordinary Committee Members together.
“Secretary” means the Secretary for the time being, or any person appointed to perform the duties of the Secretary of the Club.
“Real Property” means the property of the Club of an immovable nature, comprising any Playing Pitches, Grounds or Buildings, whether of Leasehold or Freehold tenure, with all Fixtures or Fittings attached thereto and used therewith.
“Personal Property” means the property of the Club of a movable nature, comprising all Playing or Sporting equipment of the Club, as well as all Stock in Trade and Money or other Assets of the Club not already classified as fixtures or fittings or “Real Property”, as heretofore defined.
Words importing the singular number only, include the plural number and vice versa, and words importing the masculine gender only, also include the feminine and vice versa.
NAME
OBJECTS
3.1 The Object of the Club shall be the promotion of the aims of the G.A.A., as outlined in the Official Guide.
3.2 The Membership, Income and Property of the Club shall be dedicated to and applied solely towards the promotion of these objects.
COLOURS
MEMBERSHIP
5.1 There shall be three types of Membership of the Club:
5.1.1 FULL MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Over 18 years (i.e. shall have celebrated their 18th birthday prior to January 1st of the Membership Year) who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A. Honorary Membership may be granted to persons Over 18 years, as defined above, who have rendered exceptional service to the Club or the games or activities of the G.A.A. An Honorary Member shall have the rights of a Full Member, but shall be exempt from paying the Club’s Annual Membership Fee.
5.1.2 YOUTH MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Under 18 and Over 9 years (i.e. shall celebrate their 18th birthday on January 1st of the Membership Year or on a later date and shall have celebrated their 9th birthday prior to January 1st of the Membership Year) who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A.
(Notes – Child Membership of the Association is for children Under 9 years (i.e. shall celebrate their 9th birthday on January 1st of the Membership Year or on a later date)
On expiration of a Child Membership of the Association, a person may apply for Youth Membership of the Association only through a Club for which he is eligible to play.)
5.1.3 SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP may be granted to persons Over 18 years, as defined above, who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the G.A.A., but who do not seek full voting rights and rights to take part in the administrative affairs of the Club or the G.A.A.
5.2 Full Members (including Honorary Members) and Youth Members of the Club will also become Members of the G.A.A.
5.3 Once granted, Full Membership of the Club and the G.A.A. shall continue for life, and Youth Membership shall continue to the end of the year in which the Members celebrates his eighteenth birthday, at which time his next membership payment will automatically be as a Full Member, unless in either case the member has been expelled or his resignation in writing has been accepted, in accordance with this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide.
5.4 The rights of any member of the Club shall be conditional upon the member complying with the provisions of this Constitution and the Official Guide, including payment of any annual membership fee and levies.
5.5 Such rights may be withheld, restricted or suspended in accordance with this Constitution and the Official Guide.
5.6 An application for Full or Social Membership must be made in the manner prescribed by Central Council and signed by the applicant. The application request must be submitted to the Club Secretary.
5.7 An application for Youth Membership must be made in the manner prescribed by Central Council and signed by the applicant and one of his parents/guardians. The prescribed electronic Application Form may be completed by one of the Applicant’s parents or Guardians and submitted to the Club Secretary, complete with accompanying electronic payment for the prescribed fee.
5.8 An application for Child Membership must be made on the Prescribed Form and signed by the applicant and one of his parents/guardians. Alternatively, a prescribed electronic Application Form may be completed by one of the Applicant’s parents or Guardians and submitted to the Club Secretary, complete with accompanying electronic payment for the prescribed fee.
5.9 Applications for Full Membership shall be brought for approval by the Club Secretary to a meeting(s) of the Club Executive. Applications for membership shall be approved by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. In accordance with Rule 2.1(b) of the Official Guide, membership of the Association shall only be granted by a club, to persons who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Gaelic Athletic Association, as stated in the Official Guide. A list, in alphabetical order, of the names and addresses of all club members shall be retained by the Club Secretary and/or kept safely on the club premises. Only a full member who has satisfied the condition of Rule 4.1 of the Official Guide may be nominated for or elected to any Elective Office referred to in the Official Guide.
5.9.1 Persons shall not be admitted to any of the privileges of Membership until after they have been granted membership in accordance with the procedures stated in this Article.
5.10 If and when the Application for Membership has been accepted by the Executive Committee, the new Member’s particulars shall be submitted by the Club Registrar to the Central Council, by the process of Electronic Registration, for Registration and allocation of a personal membership number.
DISCIPLINARY POWERS AND PROCEDURES
5.11.1 The Executive Committee shall have the power to investigate and process matters relating to alleged breaches of this Constitution or the Official Guide by Club members in the same manner as a Competitions Control Committee or a Management Committee in Chapter 7 of the Official Guide. It shall follow the procedures set out in Rule 7.3 of the Official Guide. Where a Defending Party seeks a Hearing it shall be provided by the County Hearings Committee. There shall be no appeal against a decision of Hearings Committee in relation to Disciplinary Action initiated by the Executive Committee.
5.11.2 Unless the offence is brought to the notice of the County Committee by the Club, and that body, having considered the merits of the case and having regard to the rights of the player or member, confirms the penalty imposed, the member continues to be a member of the Association and is suspended from Club activities only.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
6.1 The Annual Subscription to be paid by members of the Club shall be determined by the Executive Committee and ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
6.2 The determined Annual Subscription shall be payable on election and thereafter annually, in advance of the date and in the manner decided by the Executive Committee. The date set shall be a date prior to March 31st each year.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
7.1 The business and affairs of the Club shall be under the management of an Executive Committee, and it shall be the controlling body of the Club.
7.2 The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Registrar, Officer for Irish Language and Culture, Public Relations Officer, Children’s Officer, one Players’ Representative, and at least five, but not more than ten other Full Members
7.3 Nominations to serve on the Executive Committee shall be by two Full Members (which may include the nominee) whose membership fees are paid up to date in accordance with Article 6.2 and who are not suspended or disqualified under this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide.
7.4 The Executive Committee, shall be elected by the Full Members present, entitled to vote and voting at the Annual General Meeting. Exceptions: The Children’s Officer and the Officer for Irish Language and Culture, and the Players’ Representative, who shall have participated as a player with the Club within the previous 48 weeks, shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of the outgoing Executive Committee.
7.4.1 The Players’ Representative shall be selected by the players prior to a date appointed by the Executive Committee. In default of such a selection, the Executive Committee shall select the Players’ Representative for recommendation to the Annual General Meeting.
7.5 Only Full Members, whose Membership Fees are paid up to date in accordance with Rule 6.2 and who are not suspended or disqualified under this Constitution or Rules or the Official Guide, shall be eligible for election to the Executive Committee.
7.6 The outgoing Executive Committee shall conduct the Annual General Meeting.
7.7 The Executive Committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Annual General Meeting.
7.8 The Executive Committee shall meet at least once each quarter, and four members present shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Executive Committee.
7.9 The Chairperson, when present, shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee; in his absence, the Vice Chairperson shall preside.
7.10 If both the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson are absent, the Committee shall appoint a member present to preside at the Meeting
7.11 The Secretary shall record the Minutes of each Meeting. If the Secretary is absent, the Committee shall appoint a member present to record the Minutes.
7.12 The Minutes shall specify the date of the Meeting, those present, and a brief account of the Meeting, and shall be read to the next Meeting.
7.13 Such Minutes, if agreed as being accurate or having been appropriately amended, shall be signed by the Chairperson and Secretary, having been first proposed, seconded and adopted.
7.14 The Executive Committee shall have the sole right to appoint Sub-Committees and Managers/Coaches/Selectors of teams as required.
7.15 The Executive Committee shall define the duties of such Sub Committees, and retain control in all matters and activities which it considers of importance to the general welfare of the Club, including the disposal of any funds in the hands of such Sub Committees.
7.16 The Executive Committee shall have power to nominate the Chairperson of such Sub Committees.
7.17 The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall be ex- officio members of all Sub Committees.
7.18 The Executive Committee shall have power from time to time to make, alter and repeal all such Regulations as they deem necessary, expedient or convenient for the proper conduct and management of the Club, and in particular, but not exclusively, they may by such Regulations set out:
(a) The terms and conditions upon which guests, children of members of the Club and visitors shall be permitted to use the premises and property of the Club;
(b) The times of opening and closing the Grounds and Premises of the Club, or any part thereof;
(c) The conduct of members of the Club in relation to one another;
(d) The setting aside of the whole or any part or parts of the Club’s premises for any particular time or times, or for any particular purpose or purposes, subject to the consent of Central Council.
(e) And generally all such matters as are commonly the subject matter of this Constitution.
7.19 The Executive Committee shall approve Motions to County Convention in accordance with Rule 3.14 Official Guide.
7.20 The Executive Committee shall adopt such means as they deem sufficient, to bring to the notice of members of the Club all such Regulations and all alterations and repeals.
7.21 All such Regulations so long as they shall be in force, shall be binding upon all members of the Club, provided nevertheless that no Regulations shall be inconsistent with or shall affect or repeal anything contained in this Constitution and Rules or the Official Guide, and that any Regulations may be set aside by a special resolution of a General Meeting of the Club.
7.22 Each Full Member shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee upon any complaint or representation sent by him, in writing, to the Secretary.
7.23 A Special meeting of the Executive Committee may be called:
(a) by the Secretary or
(b) by the Secretary, for a date not more than seven days from the date of the receipt by him of a requisition duly signed by four members of the Executive Committee.
(c) Such requisition shall set out the purpose for which the special meeting is required.
7.24 Any Member of the Executive Committee who shall have absented himself from three consecutive meetings, without reasonable explanation, shall be deemed to have resigned from the Executive Committee.
7.25 Should any Member of the Executive Committee resign, be deemed to have resigned, or his position otherwise lapse, the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall, at their discretion, have the power to fill the vacancy, by co-opting a replacement from the body of the Full Membership.
7.26 The service of any Member so co-opted on to the Executive Committee shall not be reckoned in calculating the length of service of such Member, if subsequently elected to serve on the Executive Committee.
GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1 The Club shall in each year hold a general meeting as its Annual General Meeting, in addition to any other General Meetings in that year and shall specify the meeting as such in the notice calling it.
8.2 All General Meetings, other than Annual General Meetings, shall be called Special General Meetings.
8.3 An Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time as shall be decided upon by the Executive Committee. The Annual General Meeting shall not be held later than 30th November without the prior approval of the County Committee.
8.4 The following business shall be transacted at the Annual General Meeting:
(a) Adoption of Standing Orders.
(b) Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting.
(c) Consideration of the Annual Report submitted by the Secretary.
(d) Consideration of the Financial Statements including the Report of the Accountant(s) or Auditor(s).
(e) The Chairperson’s Address.
(f) Election of Officers and Members of the Executive Committee.
(g) Notices of Motion.
(h) Other Business.
Note: “Other Business” does not include the appointment of Managers/Coaches/Selectors of teams which is the business of the Executive Committee of the Club.
8.5 The Annual General meeting of the Club shall be called in the following manner:
8.5.1 The Executive Committee shall decide upon a date, time and place for the meeting, allowing adequate time to meet the time limits set out hereunder.
8.5.2 Once the date of the Annual General Meeting has been fixed, the Secretary shall give at least twenty-one days’ notice in writing, electronically and/or otherwise, to the members of such date, at the same time inviting nominations for election to the Executive Committee for the following year and motions for consideration at the Annual General meeting, also specifying that such nominations and motions shall be received by the member by a date not less than fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
8.5.3 The Secretary shall then, on or after the date specified for return to the secretary of such Nominations and Motions, but so as to give the members seven days’ clear notice before the meeting, circulate, electronically and/or otherwise, to the members the following documentation:
(a) Copy of the Agenda for the meeting.
(b) Copy of the Annual Report of the Secretary.
(c) Copy of the Financial Statements, including the Report of the Accountant(s) or Auditor(s).
(d) Details of the Nominations for election to the Executive Committee.
(e) Copies of any motions for consideration at the meeting.
8.6 In the event of the number of Nominees for any particular Executive Committee position being equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled, such Nominees shall be declared elected, and any positions left unfilled, due to the lack of Nominees or Nominees withdrawing, shall be filled by the new Executive Committee, as soon as practical after the Annual General Meeting.
8.7 A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee at any time, provided ten days’ clear notice, in writing, shall be given to the members, specifying the purpose of such Special General Meeting,
8.8 The Executive Committee shall call a Special General Meeting for a date not more than twenty-one days from the receipt by the Executive Committee of a requisition, in writing, signed by twelve members of the Club, and ten clear days’ notice, in writing, shall be given to the Members.
8.8.1 Such Requisitions by members of the Club shall set out the purpose for which the Special
General Meeting is required, and shall be lodged with the Secretary.
8.8.2 If the Special General Meeting is not called for a date within the twenty-one days stipulated, then the Requisitioners may themselves convene a Special General Meeting. If requested, the County Secretary shall assist the Requisitioners in convening the Special General Meeting.
8.9 No other business, outside that specified in the Notice, shall be transacted at a Special General Meeting.
8.10 No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, fifteen per cent of Full Members eligible to vote shall be a quorum at a General Meeting, subject to a minimum of 15 members being present.
8.11 If within half an hour after the time appointed for a General Meeting, a quorum of members is not present, the meeting if convened on the requisition of members shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned and be rearranged at a date and time to be decided by the Executive Committee, provided the reconvened meeting takes place within 14 days of the original meeting; and if at the reconvened meeting a quorum of members is not present within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, the members then present shall be a quorum.
8.12 The Chairperson, and failing him the Vice-Chairperson, shall preside as Chairperson at every General Meeting of the Club.
8.13 If there is no such Chairperson, or if at any meeting he is not present within thirty minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting, the members then present shall choose someone of their number who is a member of the Executive Committee to be Chairperson of the meeting, and if there shall be no Member of the Executive Committee present, then the members shall elect any one of their number to be Chairperson of the Meeting.
8.14 The Chairperson may, with the consent of the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any reconvened meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
8.15 Failure to comply strictly with the time limits set out in this Constitution or the non-receipt of Notice of a Meeting by any persons entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting, but shall entitle the majority of members present to seek and be granted an adjournment of the meeting to such date by which they would be given an adequate time to be furnished with and consider the contents of any relevant documentation.
VOTING
9.1 Only Full Members, whose membership fees are paid up to date in accordance with Rule 6.2, and who are not suspended, or disqualified under this Constitution or the Official Guide, shall be eligible to vote at a General Meeting. The onus shall be on the member to prove that he has paid his subscription.
9.2 A Chairperson of a General Meeting, Executive Committee meeting or any Sub-Committee meeting shall, in the event of a tie, whether on a show of hands or on a ballot, have a casting vote in addition to his vote as a member, irrespective of whether or not he had originally voted on the issue, other than for the election to any position, when the outcome in the event of a tie shall be decided by lot. The first person chosen shall be deemed the winner of the tie.
9.3 At any General Meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless, before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands, a ballot is demanded:
(a) by the Chairperson
(b) by at least five members present and entitled to vote.
9.4 Unless a ballot is so demanded, a declaration by the Chairperson that a resolution has on the show of hands been carried, or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, shall be final, and an entry to that effect in the book containing the minutes of proceedings of the Club shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes in favour of or against such resolution.
9.5 If a ballot is so demanded, the same shall be taken in such manner as the Chairperson directs, and the result of the ballot shall be deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the ballot was demanded.
9.6 A Secret Ballot shall be carried out to decide the result of any contest for any elective position.
ASSETS AND TRUSTEES
10.1 All property owned by a Club is held upon Trust for the benefit of the Club concerned. The Trust is subject to and governed by the provisions of the Official Guide and the Code on Trusts of Association Property, both as amended from time to time. All such property shall be vested in the Corporate Trustee and/or a number of full members as Trustees.
10.2 The Club shall have power to acquire, hold and develop, lease, mortgage, charge, exchange or sell Real and Personal Property, and to borrow or raise money in promotion of the objects of the Club, subject to the overall authority of the Central Council of the G.A.A.
10.3 The Real Property shall not be leased, mortgaged, charged, exchanged, sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise dealt with without the consent in writing of the Central Council of the G.A.A., or as may be set out in any separate Declaration of Trust.
10.4 (A)The Personal Property owned or held by a Club shall be vested in the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary who shall hold it in Trust for the Club.
(B) The Real Property owned by a Club, shall be vested in the following:
(i) Five Trustees, three of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of a Club, one of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant County Committee, and one of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant Provincial Council; or
(ii) Four Trustees, three of whom shall be appointed for and on behalf of a Club and the Corporate Trustee shall be appointed for and on behalf of the relevant County Committee and Provincial Council; or
(iii) One Trustee being the Corporate Trustee;
For Real Property situated in England and Wales the only available option is (ii).
10.5 The Executive Committee may determine whether the Corporate Trustee or other persons shall be appointed as Trustees for and on behalf of the Club for the purposes of Rule 5.3(B)(b)(1)(i) or (ii) Official Guide and who those persons shall be.
10.6 By way of acceptance of their appointment and as and when required by Central Council, the Trustees of the Real Property shall execute a Declaration of Trust, as approved by Central Council, and which shall contain the provisions for appointment, removal and replacement of Trustees as well as regulating the conduct of the Trustees in performing their duties and exercising their powers under the trust. The terms of the Declaration of Trust approved by Central Council may be amended or replaced by Central Council from time to time.
10.7 Where the trustee is an individual, a Trustee shall hold office until his/her retirement or death unless replaced in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5.3, Official Guide and the Code on Association Property.
10.8 The Trustees of the Real Property, having first obtained the consent of the Central Council of the G.A.A. where necessary, shall exercise their powers and perform their duties as directed by the Club and in accordance with the Rules in Chapter 5 of the Official Guide and the Code on Association Property.
10.9 A Directive of the Club shall be given by a resolution of the full members of the Club, passed by a majority of the members present, entitled to vote and voting at a duly convened General Meeting and when so passed shall be binding upon all members of the Club.
10.10 A Certificate signed by the Secretary shall, in favour of any person relying on same, be conclusive evidence that a Directive, complying in all respect with the provisions of this Rule, was duly given to the Trustees.
10.11 The Trustees of the Personal Property shall invest and use such property in accordance with the Directives of the Executive Committee, of which an entry in the Minute book shall be conclusive evidence.
10.12 The Club shall indemnify and save harmless its Trustees in respect of any loss or expenses bona fide incurred by them in or about the execution of their powers and duties.
BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS
11.1 The Executive Committee shall open an Account (or additional Accounts that are approved by the Club Executive) with an approved Financial Institution on behalf of the Club, and all cheques and or electronic transfers authorised in writing drawn on the said account shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by one of either the Chairperson or Secretary. Only the Executive Committee may open account(s) on behalf of the club.
11.2 The Executive Committee shall cause proper Books of Account to be kept in respect of:
(a) All sums of money received and expended by the Club, and the matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditures take place; and (b) All Sales and Purchases of goods by the Club; and (c) The Assets and Liabilities of the Club.
11.3 The Books of Account shall be kept at such place or places as the Executive Committee shall think fit, and shall at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of the members of the Executive Committee.
11.4 The Executive Committee shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the Accounts and Books of the Club, or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Full Members of the Club not being an Executive Committee member, and no member (not being an Executive Committee Member) shall have any right of inspection of any Account or Book or Document of the Club except as authorised by the Executive Committee.
11.5 An independent suitably qualified Person or Persons shall be appointed as Accountant(s) or as Auditor(s) to report on the Accounts/Financial Statements of the Club for presentation at the Annual General Meeting. If deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee of the Club, the Accounts/Financial Statements shall be audited. A copy of the Accounts/Financial Statements, as adopted and approved, shall be submitted to the County Committee within four weeks of the date of the Annual General Meeting.
11.6 The Books and Accounts of the Club shall be presented to such Accountant(s) or Auditor(s) by the Committee in sufficient time to enable the Report of such Accountant(s) or Auditor(s) to be available and considered at the Annual General Meeting of the Club.
11.7 The Financial Statements shall be approved by the Executive Committee, and signed by two of three Officers – Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer – on behalf of the Executive Committee.
11.8 The Executive Committee shall cause to be prepared and laid before the Annual General Meeting an Account of Income and Expenditure and a Balance Sheet made up to a date not more than six months before such meeting.
11.9 All Books of Account, including all documents, vouchers, statements and notes, as well as all minute books, notes of meetings, original and copy correspondence and all such documents are the property of the Club, and no person shall have any personal title to or interest in such documents to the exclusion of the Club.
11.10 The end of the Club Financial year shall be September 30th.
11.11 Similar provisions to the above shall apply to Clubs entitled to and availing of the provisions of Article 15 below.
INCOME AND PROPERTY
12.1 No portion of the Income and Property of the Club shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of profit, dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever to the Members of the Club.
12.2 No Officer shall be appointed to any Office within the Club paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the Club in respect of such Office, provided however nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Club of:
(a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any Member or Officer of the Club for any services rendered to the Club (other than as an Officer);
(b) reasonable and proper remuneration to any company of which a Member or Officer of the Club is a director or shareholder, for any services rendered to the Club;
(c) interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by Officers or other Members of the Club to the Club;
(d) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by Officers or other Members of the Club (including any Officer) to the Club;
(e) reasonable and proper out of pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Club;
(f) fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any Company of which an Officer may be a member, holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such Company.
WINDING UP
13.1 A resolution to Wind Up a Club shall be passed only at a General Meeting, specially summoned for the purpose of such resolution, if supported by not less than three-fourths of those present, entitled to vote and voting.
13.2 Any decision to Wind Up a Club shall be subject to the approval of the County Committee.
13.3 If upon such Winding Up, there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatever, the same shall not be paid or distributed amongst the members, but the Trustees shall continue to hold same in trust for the appropriate County Committee of the G.A.A., to be used or disposed of as such County Committee shall direct, but shall in no instance pay or distribute such property amongst Officers, Members or Employees of the Club.
ADDITIONS TO AND AMENDMENTS OF RULES
14.1 Additions to and Amendments of this Constitution may be made at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, providing that the Resolution proposing same is carried by a vote of three-fifths of the members present, entitled to vote and voting, that same do not conflict with the Official Guide, and that approval is given by the County Management Committee for the change(s).
14.2 Members wishing to propose Additions to or Amendments of this Constitution must send notice of the proposed Additions or Amendments in writing to the Secretary not later than fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting as provided by Article 8.7 hereof.
14.3 Where appropriate, no Addition or Amendments shall be made to or in the provisions of the Main Object(s) (3), Income and Property (12) and the Winding-Up (13) Clauses in this Constitution for the time being in force, unless the same shall have been previously approved, in writing, by the relevant statutory authorities.
LARGE CITY OR URBAN CLUBS
15 A large City or Urban Club with major commercial and property interests may have a Club Committee Structure at variance from the standard structures outlined in this Constitution, to ensure proper organisation and governance of its commercial, property and allied financial activities.
Such structure shall be subject to Club General Meetings of Full Members in-
(a) The Appointment of Committee Members who have responsibility for commercial property and allied financial activities.
(b) The submission for approval of Annual Reports.
(c) Like provisions of Article 11 above being applicable, including Annual Financial Audited Accounts of the commercial, property and allied financial activities being prepared and laid before an Annual General Meeting.
(d) The provisions of Articles 10 (and specifically of section 10.9) and 12, of this Constitution being complied with.
A Club Structure, as envisaged by this Article, shall have the approval of the County Management Committee in advance of it being implemented.
COMPLIANCE WITH PROVISIONS OF OFFICIAL GUIDE
INTERPRETATION OF CLUB CONSTITUTION
If the absence of the appointment by a General Meeting of members of an Interpretation of Club Constitution Committee, the Executive Committee shall by default have this responsibility.
A decision of the Interpretation of Club Constitution Committee or the Executive Committee, as applicable, upon any question of interpretation, or upon any matter affecting the Club and not provided for, shall be final and binding on the members, subject to appeal to the Hearings Committee of the County Committee in accordance with the provisions of Rule 5.11.1. Beyond this, a member, or the club may exercise its right in accordance with Rule 7.13 of the Official Guide.
GENERAL
18.1 A Notice may be given by the Club to any Member in accordance with Rule 4.6 of the Official Guide.
18.2 The failure to give notice of any meeting or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
18.3 This Constitution shall be taken as an amendment of and in substitution for any existing Constitution of _____________G.A.A. Club as of the ____ day of _____
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(41)
That Rule 3.20(iv) – The County – Hearings Committee – Official Guide Part 1 (page 27) be amended to read as follows:
Hearings Committee
(a) It shall adjudicate on all Disciplinary Matters where a Hearing is prescribed and requested, relating to the Enforcement of Rules arising from matters under the jurisdiction of the County Committee or The Executive Committee of a Club within the County. Exception: A Hearing of an Objection/Counter Objection is the function of the County Competitions Control Committee.
(b) It shall adjudicate on Appeals that may arise from decisions of the Competitions Control Committee on applications for Transfer Within the County and the Grading of Players. 28 (See provisions outlined in Rules 6.5(f) and 6.20 respectively.)
(c) It shall consist of a minimum of five Members who shall be appointed from Members of the County Committee and/or other suitable personnel. No Member of the Management Committee or Competitions Control Committee may serve as a member of the County Hearings Committee.
(d) The powers of the County Hearings Committee shall be plenary powers.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(42)
That Rule 3.24 – The Province – Convention – Official Guide Part 1 – Page 31 be amended to read as follows:
A Provincial Convention shall be held prior to 18th January. It shall consist of:
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(43)
That Rule 3.40(d) Official Guide 2020 Part 1 be amended to read as follows:
Motions to revise Playing Rules may be tabled only in years divisible by five. Any such motion shall be submitted by the date required for submission of motions for the previous year’s Congress and shall be referred to the Standing Committee on the Playing Rules for evaluation.
Exception: Motions submitted in accordance with Section (a)(iv) of this Rule.
In any year in which Playing Rules are on a Congress Agenda, they shall take precedence in this list of motions, or may be debated at a Special Congress, if so decided by Central Council.
The remainder of Rule 3.40 remains the same.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(44)
That Rule 6.3 – Games & Competitions – Definitions – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 72/73) be amended to read:
Other Relevant Connection: A player shall be considered to have an ‘Other Relevant Connection’:
(a) With a particular County if:
(i) Either of the player’s parents at the time of the member’s birth were permanently resident in that County.
(ii) That County is the County of the first Club of either of his parents.
(b) With a Particular Club if:
(i) Either of the player’s parents were at the time of his birth permanently resident in the present Catchment Area of that Club.
(ii) In the case of a player whose parents or either of them were permanently resident in Co. Dublin at the time of his birth, that Club was the First Club of a parent so resident.
(iii) County Bye-Laws either define generally or for specific cases that particular factors give rise to such a connection.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(45)
That Rule 7.2 (b) Misconduct at Games by Players Category III (i) – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 125-126) be amended by the adding “with minimal force”.
That Rule 7.2 (b) Misconduct at Games by Players Category IV – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 126-127) be amended by adding a new subsection (i) to read “striking or attempting to strike with arm, elbow, hand or knee either with force or causing injury.”. Subsequent sub sections to be renumbered (ii) to (x).
Rules affected:
The Rules of Hurling. Rules of Fair Play. Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls
The Rules of football. Rules of Fair Play. Rule 5 Aggressive Fouls
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(46)
That Rule 7.3 (aa) (5) – Procedures for Disciplinary and Related Hearings – Official Guide Part 1 (page 139) be amended by adding the following Exception:
(iii) Where a matter is considered to be of exceptional seriousness by the Hearings Committee concerned for reasons to be set out in writing by that Hearings Committee
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
(47)
That Rule 7.11(e) – Appeals – Official Guide Part 1 (pages 152-157) be amended to read:
There shall be no Appeal:
(1) Against a decision of the Central Council or of any Unit in implementing such a decision.
(2) Outside the County, against a decision of a County Committee or, as appropriate in Rule, of one of its Sub-Committees with regard to:
(i) Transfers within a County,
(ii) Grading of Clubs and Players,
(iii) Arrangements for the date and venue of a Game (provided that required notice is given),
(iv) Appointments of Referees
(v) The Administration and Control of County Teams, and
(vi) A decision of a County Hearings Committee in relation to Disciplinary Action initiated by the Executive Committee of a Club.
The rest of the Rule remains unchanged.
Ard Chomhairle/Rules Advisory Committee
GAA plan to introduce digital sliotar
The GAA will finalise plans this year for the development of a digital sliotar for use in official games.
A electronic chip will be added to the sliotar in order to verify its quality and origin.
A mobile phone app will be used to detect the chip in order to confirm that the sliotar has been produced by an officially approved manufacturer who will be subject to a quality assurance programme.
It is hoped this will curb the production of inferior quality and counterfeit sliotars sourced from outside of Ireland and which may have involved the use of child labour.
The chip will verify that the sliotar has been ethically manufactured by an approved supplier.
This will be the second significant change to the sliotar in the space of a year after the colour was changed from white to yellow for the All-Ireland SHC.
This was done to make the sliotar more visible to spectators and the change was deemed a success so will be retained.