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Regulations Governing the Organisation and Presentation of Inter Club Championships, Inter County Championships and Allianz League Games
Introduction: These Regulations have been drawn up by An Lár Choiste Cheannais na gComortaisí and approved by An Coiste Bainistíochta in accordance with Riail 3.43, Riail 3.47(g) and Riail 3.64 T.O. 2021 and Riail 4, Rules of Control, Official Guide 2021 Cuid II.
The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) is mindful of the GAA Give Respect Get Respect campaign and has drawn up these Regulations for the benefit of all stakeholders – players, referees, team management, officials, media, members and spectators.
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Categories of Games: For the purposes of imposition of penalty under these Regulations three Categories of games have been created, as follows:
Category A:-
All GAA Senior Inter-County Championship & Allianz League games & all National Finals and
GAA All Ireland Senior Club Semi-finals & Finals
Category B:- All other Inter-County games;
Category C:- All other Inter-Club games.
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Sideline Official/Match Monitor – A Sideline Official will be appointed by the Committee-in-Charge and it shall be his duty to report any breaches of these Regulations.
The Committee-in-Charge may also appoint a Match Monitor who shall be responsible for any duties assigned. The Sideline Official shall include in his report any relevant observations or breaches reported to him by the Match Monitor. These will then form part of the Referee’s Report in accordance with Rule 1.6, Rules of Control, T.O. 2021 Cuid II but any errors or omissions in respect of this shall not invalidate the Report as a whole.
The Committee-in-Charge may also impose penalties for breaches of the Regulations brought to its attention by members of the Committee-in-Charge or the Management Committee.
Failure to respect the regulations and follow laid down procedures therein may lead to penalties as defined in General Rule & Section 3 of this document being imposed on individuals, teams, County Committees, or Clubs by the Committees-in-Charge.
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1. Ground/Pitch Regulations
1.1 Ground Regulations shall apply to all venues considered suitable for Inter-County competitions. They shall include procedures for entry to each ground, designated areas for substitutes and Team Officials and shall be communicated to Teams along with the official Clár an Lae.
1.2 The Clár an Lae shall also notify teams in advance of each game as to pre-match & half time protocols, the assignation of dressing rooms, bib colours to be worn, and any pitch regulations around warmups & access.
1.3 Only those players named on the Official Team list (26 for senior Inter-County games, 24 in Non-Senior Inter-County games, 30 for Provincial or All-Ireland Club Championship) shall be allowed external entry to the controlled zone.
1.4 A maximum of 16 Team Officials & County Officials shall be allowed entry to the controlled zone. The controlled zone is defined as the dressing room and pitch-side area. All Team Officials and substitutes must sit in the designated areas identified & must leave the field of play 3 minutes before the throw-in to go to the appropriate designated areas.
1.5 There shall be two designated areas for team personnel and officials:I. Bainisteoir’s zone in which seats for the Bainisteoir, selector and a Medic should be provided (see pitch layout on page 3);
II. A seated area for substitutes and all other permitted team officials. * * Exception: Where this designated area for substitutes & Team Officials are considerably removed from the sideline area and provides a practical difficulty for Team Managers in terms of consultation with backroom personnel (i.e. selectors or medics only), seats in an appropriate area recessed from the pitch enclosure (e.g. in the front row of the stand/viewing area or in a dugout) may be provided for a maximum of 4 additional personnel who must remain seated in this area at all times.
Seating for medics must ensure uninhibited access to the playing area at all times. Medics may sit together in the designated area for substitutes or one medic may be positioned in the Bainisteoir’s zone.
Where facilities in particular grounds do not permit for the specific arrangements outlined above, alternative arrangements may be made in advance with the approval of the Committee-in-Charge and communicated to the relevant units.
1.6 Where the National Anthem precedes a game, Teams shall stand to attention respectfully facing the flag for the full duration of the anthem;
• Helmets must not be worn for Amhrán na bhFiann, for the parade or in team photographs.
• At least 30 seconds will be provided to teams after the anthem, this is to allow for any team huddles or warmups before they are required to get into position for the start of the game.
• There will also be a three minute and a one-minute reminder before the National Anthem is played.
• All other officials should be off the field when the National Anthem is been played.
1.7 The team captain shall lead the parade and only the 15 players commencing the game as per official team list may march in the parade, in team jerseys & numerical order.
1.8(a) For Senior Inter-County Championship Games Teams must be registered with the Committee-in-Charge not later than 9 am on the Thursday before a weekend game, along with names of personnel who have access to the controlled zone. (Riail 6.36 T.O. 2021).
1.8(c) For Non-Senior Inter-County Championship games, Teams shall be provided to the Committee-in-Charge for the official programme, and to the media, four days before the game i.e. no later than Wednesday Noon before a weekend game, along with names of personnel who have access to the controlled zone.
1.9 Players shall be numbered in accordance with the Official Programme and from 1 to not more than 24 (26 in the case of Senior Inter-County games) and from 1 to not more than 30 in Inter-Club games. (Riail 6.32 T.O. 2021).
1.10 In the case of a valid withdrawal for For Non-Senior Inter-County Championship games the jersey number of the player being replaced shall be used by the replacing player. Such withdrawal shall be notified in advance of the commencement of the game to the Committee-in-Charge/Match Monitor at least 15 minutes before throw-in. The inclusion of A.N.Other is not permitted.
1.11 Ball Boys are not permitted.
2. Game Regulations
2.1 Match Officials
• The Referee is in overall charge of Game Regulations and shall delegate authority to his Linesmen & Sideline Official; he shall include the Sideline Official/Match Monitor’s report(s) with his match report as appropriate.
• The Referee has the authority during the game to send any person in repeated breach of these Regulations to the stand/outside the pitch enclosure and such person cannot be replaced.
2.2 Controlled Zone Access
The following shall have access to the controlled zone. The controlled zone is defined as the dressing room and pitch-side area.
• The matchday panel will be limited to what is provided for in general rule: 26 players (GAA Senior), 24 (GAA U20 and Minor) & (30 Provincial or All-Ireland Club Championship). Only these players will be granted entry to the controlled zone.
• A maximum of 14 additional backroom personnel will also be granted access as well as two Maor Uisce per team.
• Only those named above are permitted access to the controlled zone.
• The ultimate composition of this number is at each county’s discretion but must contain the County Chairperson and Secretary (or their nominees).
• All officials with access to the controlled zone should be registered with the Committee in charge in advance of the game and recorded on the team sheet supplied to the referee.
2.3 Cathaoirleach
• Games and Ground regulations apply to all players and officials and adherence to the regulations is the responsibility of the County Chairman.
• In their absence, their responsibilities will pass to the Rúnaí/Nominated Person.
• The Bainisteoir also shares the responsibility of ensuring the Games Regulations are respected by players and members of team management.
2.4 Rúnaí
• The Rúnaí or Nominated Person shall relay details of substitutions to the Sideline Official.
2.5 Bainisteoir
• The Bainisteoir shall wear a designated distinctive top and is not permitted to enter the field of play but may move along the sideline from the 65m line to the 20m line as per the “Pitch Layout” on Page 3 of these Regulations.
• The Bainisteoir may not act in any other capacity.
• The Bainisteoir also shares the responsibility of ensuring the Games Regulations are respected by players and members of team management and can have their sideline privileges removed for any breaches by players and members of team management.
2.6 Unauthorised Incursions
• Any unauthorised incursions onto the field of play will be dealt with under Riail 7.2 2021.
2.7 Selectors
• The Maor Fóirne is no longer allowed under rule.
• Selectors must sit in their designated area.
• Any unauthorised incursions onto the field of play will be dealt with under Riail 7.2 2021).
2.8 Medics
• Two (2) Medical personnel shall be identified on the Official Team list and shall sit in the areas designated in Ground Regulations; they shall wear clear identification which must not clash with the playing jerseys of either team and may only enter the field of play to attend to an injured player(s).
• Selectors/Coaches cannot act as a medic person, without advance approval from the Committee in Charge.
2.9 Maoir Uisce
• Two Maoir Uisce who must be over 18 years of age, are permitted per team; they may not enter the field of play. Each must wear an official bib (Football: Purple or Green | Hurling: Brown or Lilac) and will be situated as per the “Pitch Layout” on Page 4 of these Regulations, and at least two metres from the sideline.
• Official team personnel (Selectors/Coaches), substitutes, injured players or members of the extended panel may not act as Maoir Uisce. In the event that any official team personnel, injured player or a member of the extended panel act as a Maoir Uisce, any breach of rule shall be considered as a Misconduct at Games by Team Officials infraction.
• Maoir Uisce are not permitted to have/use Communications devices i.e. walkie talkies.
• In Hurling the Maoir Uisce will also act as Hurley Carriers & may enter the field of play with a replacement hurley when necessary.
• Maor Camán is not allowed to carry water into the players and may enter the field of play only with a replacement hurley when necessary.
• Any unauthorised incursions onto the field of play will be dealt with under Riail 7.2 2021.
2.10 Substitutes
• Substitutes are not allowed a kick/puck around at half-time.
• A maximum of three substitutes wearing designated distinctive tops may warm up on sidelines at any one time on their designated half of the field.
• Substitutes should not swap bibs or tops.
2.11 Media Interviews
• Any Provincial/County/Club Committee Official or Players who make derogatory comments in relation to Games Officials before, during or after a game in interviews may be dealt with in accordance with Riail 7.2(e) T.O. 2021.
• Team Official(s) or Designated Person(s) (as per the list supplied to the Match Referee prior to the game) may be subject to the withdrawal of side-line privileges for future games
2.12 Sliotars
• Umpires have the responsibility to control the supply of sliotars approved by CLG to the goalkeeper by controlling the bag of sliotars at the back extension of the goal post.
• Any sliotars not officially approved and not displaying the official GAA stamp shall not be used. Breaches shall be brought to the attention of the Referee.
• Goalkeepers are not permitted a private supply of sliotars in the goal area.
• For all Senior Inter-County games, sliotars with yellow leather will be used.
• For all other games, if there is an agreement between both teams, officially approved sliotars with yellow leather can be used, otherwise, sliotars with white leather shall be used.
2.13 Late Fielding
• A team taking the field late before a game shall be subject to the penalties outlined in Rule 6.44(d)(i), T.O. 2021; a team responsible for a half time interval being exceeded shall be subject to penalties outlined in Rule 6.44(d)(ii)(a), T.O. 2021 and a team responsible for an interval period allowed being exceeded by more than 10 minutes shall be subject to penalties outlined in Rule 6.44(d)(ii)(b), T.O. 2021.
2.14 Distinctive Tops
• If not wearing the official bib, the distinctive tops as listed above in relation to the Bainisteoir shall not clash with the main colour of either team.
2.15 Matters not provided for
• Matters not specifically provided for in these regulations shall be dealt with by the referee and his team of officials on the day, and then by An Lár Choiste Cheannais na gComortaisí when reported via either the Referee, Sideline Official or Match Monitor.
2.16 Extra – Time & Winner on the Day
• Regulations governing the playing of Extra Time & Winner on the Day are outlined in Rule 2.6, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 & 3.7, Rules of Specification, T.O. 2021 Cuid II & Winner on the Day regulations approved Ard Chomhairle on the 19th January 2019.
3. Penalties
3.1 Penalties for breaches of Ground/Pitch/Game Regulations shall be at the discretion of the Committee-in-Charge. These may include warnings, fines, the withdrawal of sideline privileges for individuals as outlined in Part 2 of these regulations or suspension of individuals as considered appropriate.
3.2 The Referee has the authority during the game to send any person in repeated breach of these Regulations to the stand/outside the pitch enclosure and such person cannot be replaced.
3.3 The Bainisteoir shares the responsibility of ensuring the Games Regulations are respected by players and members of team management and can have their sideline privileges removed for any breaches by players and members of team management as deemed appreciate by Committee-in-Charge.
3.4 Maximum fines for breaches of Ground/Pitch/Game Regulations and Clár an Lae:
Category A €700; Category B €500; Category C €300 (for each reported breach).
3.5 Where Bainisteoir sideline privileges have been withdrawn the Bainisteoir will be confined to a designated area as decided on by the Committee-in-Charge.
3.6 The frequency and gravity of reported breaches in each game shall be taken into account by the Committee-in-Charge and may lead to next match penalties.
3.7 The provisions of Riail 7.2 (c) Misconduct at Games by Team Officials 2021shall apply.
Entry to field of Play/Incursions
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 of occurred, even if that game occurs in the following year’s competition.
Winner on the Day Regulations
Regulations approved Ard Chomhairle on the 19th January 2019 and in accordance with Rules of Specification 3.4. & 3.6 T.O. Part 2 2019, that relevant games that finish level after normal playing times should be completed as follows:
Phase 1
• Proceed to Extra time as provided for in T.O Cuid II (two periods of ten minutes each way)
Phase 2 (Penalty Kicks/Pucks) If still level, a “penalty competition” to decide the outcome:
• The relevant rules in T.O. Cuid II shall apply in relation to Penalty Kicks/Pucks, unless otherwise stated.
• Penalties will be taken for goals only.
• The Referee shall choose the end at which the penalty kicks/pucks will be taken. The end may be changed by the referee if it becomes unplayable during the course of the penalties.
• The Referee will ensure two goal umpires are in place at the end in which the penalty kicks/pucks are to be taken;
o Both umpires shall position themselves on the end line at opposite side of the goals facing inwards
o If a penalty is scored, the goal umpire, will wave the green flag once the referee has signalled
o If the penalty is saved or missed the point umpire will signal a wide once the referee has signalled
• Each team shall register five penalty takers, a goalkeeper & a substitute goalkeeper with the referee and indicate in which order the penalty takers will take their penalties. (A penalty taker can also be a goalkeeper or a substitute goalkeeper.)
• The Referee shall toss a coin in the presence of the two captains to see which team will have the option of going first.
• Only players who are on the field of play at the end of Phase 1 (i.e. end of Extra Time), shall be allowed to be registered as a penalty taker or goalkeeper. Exception: The substitute goalkeeper can come from the team panel.
• A goalkeeper who is injured while the penalty kicks/pucks are being taken and is unable to continue as a goalkeeper may be replaced* by the substitute goalkeeper who has been nominated in advance, provided the referee is notified. If in the event the substitute goalkeeper also gets injured, one of the registered penalty takers may replace* the substitute goalkeeper, provided the referee is notified. (*Once replaced, the goalkeeper/ substitute goalkeeper cannot be reintroduced as a goalkeeper at a later stage)
• Subject to the conditions below both teams will take five penalty kicks/pucks which are taken alternately by the teams. The game is awarded to whichever team scores more of their five penalty kicks/pucks. If, before both teams have taken five penalty kicks/pucks, one team has scored more goals that the other team could score, even if they were to complete their five penalty kicks/pucks, no more penalty kicks/pucks shall be taken. If, after both teams have taken five penalty kicks/pucks and both teams have scored the same number of goals, the penalty competition will continue but in sudden death format using the same five registered players until one team has scored a goal more than the other from the same number of kicks/pucks.
o In sudden death, the same sequence of penalty takers does not have to be followed as in the first round of penalty kicks/pucks.
• Each penalty kick/puck is taken by a different player. All registered players must take a penalty kick/puck before any player can take an additional penalty kick/puck.
• The referee shall signal for the penalty to be taken. The penalty kick/puck is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play (including over the crossbar) or a goal is scored.
• Only the players involved in the penalty taking competition, as well as the Referee, Linesmen and Umpires are permitted on the pitch. With the registered penalty takers located between the 45m & 65m lines closest to the end selected by the referee. Goalkeepers to be located 20m from the goals.
• All other players (including substitute goalkeepers), managers, officials, backroom personnel etc. should be at their designated sideline area, and off the field of play when the penalty-taking competition is taking place.
