Landslide votes at Special Congress mean Gaelic football to have raft of new rules in 2025

Gaelic football will be much changed in 2025, at inter-county and club level, as the GAA's Special Congress has given resounding backing to the rule changes proposed by Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee.

With 60% backing for most motions required, none received less than 73% backing as delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of change, with all 18 rules passed via 49 motions.

The new rules, which represent the most significant changes to Gaelic football in modern times, will come into effect for the Allianz League in a matter of weeks.

They were trialled at a one-off inter-provincial competition at Croke Park in October, following which proposals for four-point goals and two-point 45s were abandoned.

The first motion debated at length dealt with the administration around the implementation and altering of the rules and whether or not they should operate at club level in 2025.

Despite Sligo and Longford speaking against the universal adoption of the rules, many counties spoke in favour of the rules being used at club level and the motion passed with a whopping 93.1%.

Club competitions already underway and continuing into 2025 will be played under current rules.

The 1v1 throw-in to commence the game, second half and periods of extra-time passed with 91.7% approval.

The motions governing the requirement for kick-outs to travel beyond a 40-yard arc was also passed resoundingly, with over 95% in favour.

The vote to restrict where and when a goalkeeper can receive a pass from a team-mate was the next to be waved through with 94.3% of the vote.

Congress also approved (96.1%) the restructuring of formations, which call for each team to keep three outfield players in the opposition half at all times.

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