Following this year's great monster meeting (aka, the GAA Congress) in Cavan, here are the rule changes that come into effect on Saturday, April 11.
The rule changes clear up the rule surrounding penalties, and there is to be a general amnesty for those handed a yellow card during the game on the commencement of extra-time. The GAA have indicated that referees may consult with what is curiously termed 'a neutral linesman' if he is unsure as to the validity of a score.
- A Yellow Card does not carry into extra time.
- Referee may consult with a neutral linesman concerning the validity of a score.
- For penalties, one defending player on the goal-line who may not move towards the 20m line until the ball has actually been struck. The player taking the penalty may place it up to 7m back from the 20m line and within the arc but must strike the ball on or outside the 20m line.
- For free pucks for Technical Fouls committed inside the large rectangle and awarded on the centre point of the 20m line, a maximum of five players may stand on the goal-line and may not move forward until the ball has been struck. The player taking the free puck may place the ball up to 7m back from the 20m line and within the arc but must strike it on or outside the 20m line.
- For a 20m free puck awarded for a foul committed outside the large rectangle, all players shall stand a minimum of 20m from the point of award of the free and may not move closer to that point until the ball has been struck.
- Rule 2.4 and 4.16 – If a defending player(s) fouls before the ball is struck and a goal does not result, the referee shall give the penalty taker/free taker the option of re-taking the Penalty Puck/Free Puck or of having a point scored to stand.
- If a player taking a Penalty Puck or other Free Puck awarded on the 20m line fails to lift the ball at the first attempt or fails to strike it with the hurley, even if the action causes it to marginally cross the 20m line, he shall be allowed to strike the ball on the ground without delay.
- Advantage – Referee may allow the play to continue for up to 5 seconds after a foul; if no advantage accrues during that 5 seconds he may subsequently award a free puck for the foul.
There have also been some alterations to the football rulebook for this year too. As with the hurlers, there is 'a blessed oblivion of the past' for those footballers who've been handed a yellow card in normal time for extra-time.
- A Yellow Card does not carry into extra time.
- Referee may consult with a neutral linesman concerning the validity of a score.
- Rule 2.3 and 4.16 – If a defending player(s) fouls at a Penalty Kick situation before the ball is kicked and a goal does not result, the referee shall give the penalty taker the option of re-taking the Penalty Kick or of having a point scored to stand.
