Jim Gavin encourages counties to open challenge games to public amid rule changes

Football Review Committee (FRC) chair Jim Gavin has expressed hope that counties might consider opening their January challenge matches to the public to help familiarise players and fans with the new playing rules, set to come into force on January 1.  

The 17 changes, overwhelmingly approved during Saturday’s Special Congress, were among 49 motions proposed by the FRC, all of which received support. 

With pre-season competitions suspended by Central Council this year, counties have been organising challenge matches to fill the gap. However, there is no requirement for these games to be accessible to the general public.  

Gavin noted that as a former Dublin manager, he might have had reservations but believes the idea has merit. "We’d all love to see it. But I think you need to speak to the managers on that one," he said. 

Several counties have unsuccessfully applied to hold tournament matches in advance of the league, which begins in late January. While official training sessions can only commence from December 7, many teams have already been active on the pitch for weeks. 

One of the key motions passed at Congress allows for adjustments or reversals of changes if deemed necessary, providing delegates with some reassurance for the coming season. 

Gavin affirmed his committee’s readiness to respond to potential challenges but acknowledged that Central Council would have the final say on any mid-season amendments. 

This season’s absence of pre-season competitions will limit opportunities to trial adjustments ahead of the league. Counties will have until March 31 to implement the new rules across competitions. 

Colm Collins, former Clare manager and a long-standing member of the FRC, observed that many coaches had anticipated the changes and adjusted their preparations accordingly.  

"Most of the progressive coaches have been on this like a rash and have taken the gamble that they were going to come in and are working on," he explained. 

One of the less popular changes approved was the introduction of a stop clock for pausing play during injuries, receiving 73.7 percent support. Although previously approved by Congress on two occasions, implementation was delayed due to logistical concerns.  

The clock trialled during the recent interprovincial series, is set to count down rather than up, though this approach may be revisited. 

Asked about the potential divergence between football and hurling following the new measures, Gavin encouraged a positive outlook. "What we want to see is people embracing them and getting that balance, to say this is a great opportunity for our games, not to be continuously searching out the dark matter in life," he said. 

These developments mark a pivotal moment for Gaelic football as players, coaches, and fans prepare to adapt to the revised framework in the months ahead.