All 62 motions passed at GAA Special Congress in Dublin

A total of 62 changes to Gaelic Football rules have been passed at the GAA Special Congress held on Saturday in Croke Park.

The rules will come into effect from January 1, 2026 as the meeting took just 45 minutes, with changes wholly agreed upon.

The first change amended the rule whereby gear must be made by an Irish manufacturer, to one that is officially licensed by the GAA.

And changes to the game itself were agreed.

The two-point score has been slightly amended. Previously, a shot kicked from outside the 40 metre arc only registered as a two-point score rather than a single point score if it went over the bar without being touched by another player. So, you often had a situation where a goalkeeper getting his hand to a shot from outside the arc on its way over the bar meant it was a single-point score rather than a two-pointer. Now all converted shots from outside the arc count as two-point scores, provided no other player from the same team as the shooter touches it after it's kicked.

Other changes include if a player moves from the sideline or 45m line before the referee has thrown in the ball to start or restart the game, a free-kick will be awarded to the opposition from the middle of the halfway line.

Furthermore, if a player advances the ball deliberately from the place where a free or side line kick should be taken, or takes a sideline from a position not outside the boundary line, then a free is awarded to the opposition. Previously, a throw-in was awarded in these situations.

Deliberately denying a goal-scoring opportunity by pulling an opponent’s jersey has now joined the list of cynical behaviour infractions, which are penalised with a black card and a penalty.

The black-card/penalty for cynical behaviour infractions now also applies at club level as well as inter-county senior, U20, minor, and junior level.

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‘Disruptive conduct’ by team officials will penalised by giving the opposition a free on the 13-metre line. Where the infraction occurs immediately before the start of the game or during the half-time interval, the game shall start or restart with such a 13-metre free.

Sideline officials have the power to bring to the attention of the referee any foul play or infraction of the rules by a team official.