Proposal to restrict match-day squads to 26

August 21, 2014

The CCCC is proposing that team managers must name 26-man squads well in advance of matches and stick to it.

As part of a tightening up on match-day regulations, the CCCC is proposing that team managers must name 26-man squads well in advance of matches and stick to it.

It's proposed that counties will be required to name their panel as early as the Wednesday before the game and they cannot deviate from this, even if a player is forced to withdraw. The CCCC is eager to stop the practice of counties carrying over 30 players on their panels, especially when many of them could be playing for their clubs instead.

The move to release panels and teams earlier in the week will also be welcomed by the media and GAA supporters alike.

"A player on the extended panel who wouldn't make the final 26 for a particular game could play with his club, rather than being with the county team, without having a real chance of getting a game. There's also the matter of match programmes when squads are being named late in the week. Deadlines can be very tight," the GAA's Head of Games Feargal McGill noted in the Irish Independent.

"If you're trying to offer value for money, the least the public can expect is that all the players who are going to be involved will be listed in the programme. A total of 26 allows managers plenty of room to manoeuver."

The proposal will be debated by Central Council later in the year and, if passed, will come into effect in 2015.


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