All-Ireland Football Championship revamp to come, but not next year

This week, a meeting of the GAA's Management Committee and Central Council took place at Croke Park to discuss improving the game. An agreement was reached to have fewer games with increased danger starting in 2026

Many hardcore GAA fans are frustrated with modern football due to the prevalence of the blanket defence, the dominance of the same teams, and slow buildups in games.

Former Dublin boss Jim Gavin has been appointed to lead a task force aimed at improving the game.

Trials, including rule changes, have already taken place in games across the country.

These include a 40-meter scoring arc with two points for scores from outside the arc, four points for a goal, a revised advanced mark, and a rule requiring three players to remain in the opposition half at all times.

The GAA is clearly aware that fans are dissatisfied with the game, and after this year's lacklustre All-Ireland final, change appears to be on the horizon.

Dublin , Ireland, 28 July 2024: Conor Turbitt of Armagh in action against John Maher, left, and Johnny Heaney of Galway during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Armagh and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The new proposals, set to take effect in 2026, will go before the Annual Congress next February. However, they won't be implemented until 2026 due to a request from the fixtures body, the CCCC.

The reason all changes won't be introduced in 2025 is that the CCC has stated that more immediate changes would disrupt counties that have already made plans for next year.

The changes will come, but before that, pre-season competitions will be suspended on a trial basis in 2025, with a review to follow to determine whether they should be scrapped permanently. This means the Walsh and Kehoe Cups and the Munster SHL won’t take place, along with the Dr. McKenna Cup, O’Byrne Cup, McGrath Cup and FBD League in football.

A motion will also be presented at Congress proposing that All-Ireland finals that end in a draw after normal time should go to a replay. These are just some of the rules proposed in the widespread potential changes.

These are the full set of changes that may or may not come in

Here is the full list.

1. A goal will be worth 4 points, and a score from outside or on the 20-meter line and a 40-meter arc will be worth 2 points. 45s remain 1 point, but regular frees could be worth 2.
2. Both teams must keep three players (excluding the goalkeeper) inside each 65, or possibly a new halfway line, at all times.
3. Goalkeepers can only receive the ball in the large rectangle or after passing their own 65.
4. Kickouts are to be taken from the 20-meter line and must go forward outside the arc.
5. A black card will be issued for holding or grabbing the jersey if deemed a tactical foul, with the ball moved forward 50 meters. Contributing to a melee becomes a black card offence, and head-to-head contact is a red card offence.
6. Players or their teammates can choose to solo and go’ instead of taking a free-kick when fouled.
7. Players must hand the ball to a fouled opponent rather than dropping or kicking it away.
8. Line umpires can bring incidents to the referee's attention at any time, not just during breaks in play.
9. 'Forceful' on-field dissent will result in the ball being moved forward 50 meters instead of the current 30. Dissent from team officials or sideline personnel will result in an automatic 13-minute free.
10. The advanced mark will only apply within the 20-meter line, with automatic advantage encouraging forwards to keep playing.
11. Matches will be timed using a countdown clock that the referee can stop, ending with a hooter when the ball next goes out of play.
12. Penalty shootouts, and possibly extra time, could be replaced by an ‘overtime showdown’, where the next score wins or the conceding team gets one chance to match their opponents' score.
13. Throw-ins at the start of each half will be contested by one player from each team, with others on the sidelines and the rest behind the 65-meter line.
14. Teams can introduce six substitutes instead of the current five.
15. The square-ball rule will be standardised, allowing players to enter the large rectangle once the ball is kicked, whether in open play or from a free-kick.