The GAA have released details of the Special Congress to be held on October 4th with a list of the motions up for discussion, including changes to the hurling championship as well as disciplinary issues. Motions on All-Ireland hurling championships Hurling Development Committee Proposals The Hurling Development Committee proposals before Special Congress are specifically related to the re-structuring of the existing adult inter-county hurling championships. The members of the Hurling Development Committee are: Eamonn Ó Cuinn (Cill Chainnigh) - Cathaoirleach Dónal Ó Nialláin (Tiobraid Árann) Séamus Mac Darragh (Aontroim) Nioclás Inglis (Tiobraid Árann) Seán Ó Fathaigh (Gaillimh) Micheál Ó Cuinneagáin (Áth Cliath) Micheál Ó Cinsealaigh (Loch Garman) Lúcas Mac Muiris (Maigh Eo) Pádraig de Buitléir (Tiobraid Árann) Maire Ní Chonchúir (Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael) Padraig Ó Dálaigh (Páirc an Chrócaigh) - Rúnaí 1. That Rule 122 (B) O.G. be amended to read:- (B) All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Tier 1 - Liam Mc Carthy Cup The Championship shall be organised as follows:- Counties Participating Twelve Counties shall participate in the Championship. (Note: The twelve Counties eligible to participate in Year 2009 are Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway and Antrim. Thereafter, the Promotion and Relegation process, as outlined in this Rule, is applicable. Provincial Championships Provincial Championships shall be played on a Knock Out Format. A 'Round Robin' Competition may not be organised. For the purposes of the Liam McCarthy Cup (Tier 1), the Provincial basis shall be - (a) Munster and (b) Leinster, in which Galway and Antrim shall participate. In the Leinster Championship there shall be an 'Open Draw', with the previous year's Champions given a bye to the Semi-Finals. (Note: The inclusion of Galway and Antrim in the Leinster Championship shall, subject to the Promotion/Relegation provisions of this Rule, be for an initial period of three years (2009 - 2011 inclusive), at the end of which a Congress decision shall be made on the outcome of a Review of this inclusion). Counties that are not qualified to participate in the Liam McCarthy Cup, may not participate in the Munster or Leinster Championships. An Ulster Championship shall be organised, with Antrim also participating, but the Ulster Championship shall not lead to qualification for the Liam McCarthy Cup. The All Ireland Championship The All Ireland Championship Series shall be organised as set out hereunder: All Ireland Qualifier Competition Phase 1 This shall compromise the four Provincial Championships First Round Losers (three in Leinster and one in Munster) The Teams shall play on a Knock-Out basis. An Open Draw shall determine the Pairings. The first Team drawn in each pairing shall have a Home Venue The two Winners shall progress to Phase 3. Phase 2 This shall comprise the four Teams defeated in the Munster and Leinster Championships Semi-Finals. The Teams shall Play Off on a Knock-Out basis, in which the Munster Teams shall play the Leinster Teams. An Open Draw shall determine the Pairings. Venues shall be on a Home or Away basis, and shall be determined by a Draw. The Two Winners shall progress to Phase 3. Phase 3 The Winning Teams of Phase 1 shall play against the Winning Teams of Phase 2, on a Knock-Out Format, in which a Phase 1 Winner shall play a Phase 2 Winner. Subject to the avoidance of Repeat Pairings, where feasible, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. All Ireland Quarter Finals The defeated Provincial Finalists in Munster and Leinster shall play against the two Winning Teams of Phase 3 on a Knock-Out Format. The defeated Munster Finalists shall play a Phase 3 Winner, and the defeated Leinster Finalists shall play a Phase 3 Winner. Subject to avoidance of Repeat Pairings, where feasible, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. All Ireland Semi-Finals The Provincial Champions of Munster and Leinster shall be in separate Semi-Finals and shall respectively play one of the two Quarter Final Winners. Subject to the respective Provincial Champions not meeting the defeated Finalists from their own Province at this Stage and, where feasible, the avoidance of Repeat Pairings, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. All Ireland Final Promotion/Relegation The four Teams defeated in the first Rounds of Phases 1 and 2 of the Qualifier Competition shall Play Off, over two Rounds, on a Knock-Out Format. Subject to the avoidance of Repeat Pairings, where feasible, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. The Losing Team in the second Round of the Play Off shall contest a Promotion/Relegation Play-Off with the Winners of Tier 2 (the Christy Ring Cup). This shall be a Home game for the Winners of the Christy Ring Cup. Scheduling All Games in each Phase/Round of the All Ireland Qualifier Competition and the Quarter-Finals shall be played on a single week-end. The All Ireland Quarter-Finals shall be completed by the August Bank Holiday Monday i.e. the first Monday in August. Venues Home Venues shall be subject to approval by the Central Competitions Control Committee, and shall meet the criteria as set down by the National Safety and Infrastructure Committee Section (C) to cover Tiers 2, 3 and New 4. Other Sections to be re-lettered accordingly. Rules affected: Rules 71, 73, 123 and 124 2. That Rule 122(B) O.G. relating to Tiers 2 and 3, become Section (C) and be amended as set out below (including the creation of an additional Tier 4) (C) All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Tiers 2, 3 and 4 Tier 2 - Christy Ring Cup The Championship shall be organised as follows:- Counties Participating Eight Counties shall participate in the Championship. (Note: The eight Counties eligible to participate in the Year 2009 are Wicklow, Westmeath, Carlow, Kildare, Down, Derry, Kerry and Mayo. Thereafter, the Promotion and Relegation process, as outlined in this Rule, is applicable). Round 1 The eight Teams shall play in four Pairings (Four Games). An Open Draw shall determine the Pairings, with the first Team drawn in each Pairing having a Home Venue. Round 2 (A) The four Winners from Round 1 shall play in two Pairings (Two Games). An Open Draw shall determine the Pairings. Where the Pairings, based on the Draw, allows, a Team that had an Away Game in Round 1 shall have a Home Venue in Round 2; otherwise the first Team drawn in a Pairing shall have Home Venue. The Winners of the two Games shall qualify for the Semi-Finals. The Losers of the two Games shall qualify for the Quarter-Finals. Round 2 (B) The four Losers from Round 1 shall play in two Pairings (Two Games). An Open Draw shall determine the Pairings. Where the Pairings, based on the Draw, allows, a Team that had an Away Game in Round 1 shall have a Home Venue in Round 2; otherwise the first Team drawn in a Pairing shall have Home Venue. The Winners of the two Games qualify for the Quarter-Finals. Quarter Finals The two Quarter Final Qualifiers from Round 2(A) shall respectively play the two Qualifiers from Round 2(B). Subject to the avoidance of Repeat Pairings, where feasible, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. Semi-Finals The two Semi-Final Qualifiers from Round 2(A) shall respectively play the two Quarter-Final Winners. Subject to the avoidance of Repeat Pairings, where feasible, a Draw shall be made to determine the Pairings. Final Promotion and Relegation The two Teams defeated in Round 2(B) shall Play Off. The Losing Team shall play a Promotions/Relegation Game with the Winners of Tier 3 (the Nicky Rackard Cup). The Nicky Rackard Cup Winners shall have a Home Venue. Tier 3 - Nicky Rackard Cup The Championship shall be organised as follows:- Counties Participating Eight Counties shall participate in the Championship (Note: the eight Counties eligible to participate in the Year 2009 are Roscommon, Sligo, Monaghan, Armagh, Meath, Louth, Fingal (Dublin), and London. Format The Format shall be as for Tier 2 - Christy Ring Cup above. Tier 4 - Lory Meagher Cup The Championship shall be organised as follows:- Counties Participating Eight Counties shall participate in the Championship (Note: The eight Teams eligible to participate in the Year 2009 are Cavan, Tyrone, Donegal, Fermanagh, Non Ards (Down), Longford, Leitrim and Warwickshire. Format The Format shall be as for Tiers 2 and 3 - Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups above, with the exception that no Team is Relegated. Existing Sections (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) and (I) be re-lettered accordingly. Rule Affected:- Rule 124 O.G. DISCIPLINARY ASPECTS OF PLAYING RULES Disciplinary Playing Rules The Disciplinary Task Force was set up by an tUachtarán Nioclás Ó Braonáin to examine disciplinary aspects of the GAA's playing rules. The changes suggested to Special Congress have been made following a lengthy consultative process involving both current and former players, members of the Hurling Development Committee, managers, coaches, referees and administrators in a series of focus groups held throughout the four provinces. The new changes propose to maintain and enhance continuity of play in football and hurling and if passed, it is expected that these will promote the underlying skills of the games and minimise the subsequent level of administration arising from the implementation of sanctions. The Work Group is happy that the implementation of the new rules will also (a) perpetuate the underlying principles of fair play without compromising on the physical nature of the games (b) ensure that players take responsibility for their own behaviour (c) engender a culture within Gaelic games of respect for Match Officials and (d) culminate in a realization that it does not pay to foul. The members of the Disciplinary Task Force are: Liam Ó Neill (Laois) - Cathaoirleach Seosamh Mac Thiarnáin (Ard Mhacha) Michael "Babs" Céitinn (Tiobraid Árann) Aodhán Mac Suibhne (Áth Cliath) Dáithí Mac Ualghairg (An Mhí) Dáithí Mc Gearailt (An Clár) Diarmaid O Mochóir (Cill Dara) Eamon O Suilleabháin (Ciarraí) Sean O hUaine (An Longfort) Seán Ó Fathaigh (Gaillimh) Criostóir Ó Tuathaill (Uíbh Fhailí) Teresa Ni Raghnaill, Páirc an Chrócaigh Padraig Ó Dálaigh, Páirc an Chrócaigh (Rúnaí) 3 That the following fouls be classified as 'Highly Disruptive' within Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football), and be penalised by the ordering off of the offender, and allowing his replacement from within the substitutions permitted under Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification (as determined by this Special Congress). (1) "To pull down an opponent" (Currently a Cautionable Foul - 5.17 (in Hurling); 5.14 (in Football)) (2) "To trip an opponent with hand(s), foot (or hurley)" (Currently a Cautionable Foul - 5.18 (in Hurling); 5.15 (in Football)) (3) "To deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of a movement of play" (New) (4) To bring an arm (or hurley) around the neck of an opponent. (5) "To wrestle with an opponent, on the ground, and away from the play" (New) (6) "To remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a Match Official" (New) After these five Fouls - Insert in Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football), the following:- "Penalties for the above Highly Disruptive Fouls - (i) Order offender off by showing him a Yellow Card. (ii) Allow replacement from within the substitutions permitted in Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification. (iii) Free Puck (Hurling)/Free Kick (Football) from where Foul occurred, except as provided for under Exceptions of Rule 2.2 Re-number Sections of Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play accordingly. Rules Affected:- Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification; Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control; Terms and Definitions (Football and Hurling); and Rule 146(b) O.G. Part 1. 4. In relation to current Rules 5.19 to 5.32 (Hurling) and Rules 5.16 to 5.26 (Football), Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play, that the Penalty Provisions that follow the various clusters of clauses provide for allowing the player ordered off being replaced from within the substitutions permitted in Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification (as determined by this Special Congress) by adding: "Allow replacement from within the substitutions permitted in Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification". This also to apply to other Cautionable Infractions in Rules 4 - Technical Fouls (Hurling - 4.32/4.33; Football 4.35/4.36) and Rules 6 - Dissent (Hurling - 6.1/6.2/6.3; Football 6.1/6.2) Where Caution is referred to add: "by showing him the Referee's Notebook" Where Order Off is referred to add: "by showing him the Referee's Notebook and Yellow Card". Rules Affected:- 2.4, Rules of Specification; Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control; Terms and Definitions (Football and Hurling); and Rule 146(b) O.G. Part 1. 5. In relation to current Rules 5.29 to 5.32 (Hurling); 5.25 and 5.26 (Football), Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play - it is proposed that three such Fouls be considered as "persistent". Penalty (ii) to read:- "Caution offender for persistently (three in number) committing such fouls; order off for further repetition or for other Cautionable Foul by showing the offender the Referee's Notebook and Yellow Card". Rules Affected: - Rules 4 - Technical Fouls and Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football); Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification; Terms and Definition of Football and Hurling; Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control; and Rule 146(b), O.G. Part 1. 6. Amend Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control, as follows:- "(x) (a) To caution a player who commits a Cautionable Foul/Infraction by taking his name and showing him the Referee's Notebook, which Caution, unless (b), (c) or (d) below has been applied, shall carry over into Extra Time, where played. (b) To order off a player who commits a Second Cautionable Foul/Infraction by showing him the Referee's Notebook and a Yellow Card. (c) To order off a player who commits a Highly Disruptive Foul/Infraction by taking his name, if not already taken, and showing him a Yellow Card. (d) To order off a player who commits an Ordering Off Foul/Infraction (other than those specified in (b) and (c) above), by taking his name, if not already taken, and showing him a Red Card". Rules Affected - Rules 4 - Technical Fouls, Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football); Terms and Definitions, (Football and Hurling); Rule 2.4 Rules of Specification; and Rule 146(b), O.G. Part 1. 7. The Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification, be amended by the maximum number of substitutions allowed in Normal Time being increased from five to six, to still make reasonable allowance for injuries and tactical changes in the light of the other changes proposed in the Motions above, especially the ordering off and replacement of players for Cautionable Fouls, the relevant clause - Rule 2.4(i), Rules of Specification - to read:- "A maximum of six substitutions shall be allowed during Normal Time (which includes added time for delays)" Rules Affected - Rules 4 - Technical Fouls, Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football). 8. That Rule 2.4 Rules of Specification, be amended by replacing existing clauses (i) and (ii) with the following:- (i) A maximum of six substitutions shall be allowed during Normal Time (which includes added time for delays). A maximum of three substitutions shall be allowed during Extra Time, where played. (ii) Subject to the limitations imposed in (i) above, a substitution is allowed in the case of a player ordered off on foot of a Yellow Card or Referee's Notebook/Yellow Card Infraction. (iii) A substitution is not allowed in the case of a player ordered off on foot of a Red Card Infraction. Exception: A player ordered off in Normal Time may be replaced in Extra Time, where played. (iv) A player ordered off in any circumstance in Normal Time shall not play in Extra Time, but may be replaced. Other Clauses/Reference in this Rule are to be re-numbered accordingly but be otherwise unchanged. Rules Affected:- Rules 4 - Technical Fouls, Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football); Terms and Definitions (Football and Hurling); and Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control. 9. Amend Rule 146(b) - Category 1 "Category 1 Being ordered off on foot of either a Highly Disruptive or a second Cautionable Infraction. Penalty (i) Fixed Penalty: Debarment from playing for the remainder of the game, to include any Extra Time. (ii) Fixed Penalty for Repeat Infraction: 2 weeks Suspension in the same Code, and at the same Level." Rules Affected - Rules 4 - Technical Fouls, Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football), Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification; and Rule 1.2 (x), Rules of Control. 10. That the following Amendment/Additions be made to Important Terms and Definitions - Football and Hurling:- Caution - To take a player's name and show him the Referee's Notebook Red Card - The Card shown to a player who is ordered off for fouls 5.1 to 5.16 (Hurling) and 5.1 to 5.13 (Football), listed in Rules 5, Aggressive Fouls, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football). Yellow Card - The Card shown to a player who is ordered off for a Highly Disruptive Foul, listed in Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, or repeated Cautionable Fouls, listed in Rules 4, 5 and 6, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football) Rules Affected - Rules 4 - Technical Fouls, Rules 5 - Aggressive Fouls, Rules 6 - Dissent, Rules of Foul Play (Hurling and Football); Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification; and Rule 1.2(x), Rules of Control; Rule 146(b), O.G. Part 1. INTERVAL IN INTER-COUNTY SENIOR GAMES 11. Amend Rule 3.3, Rules of Specification O. G. by deleting the word "Championship" in the first line under Exception. Rule Affected - Rule 114(d) (ii). MOTIONS ON BURNOUT Player Burnout Report Burnout, as a GAA phenomenon, can be attributed to excessive collective training and has it's origins in one or a combination of the following: ? Multiple team involvement ? Overlapping competition schedule ? Absence of a defined closed season other than the November/December period for games and collective training purposes at Inter-County level ? Undue emphasis placed on physical fitness training inputs and/or the provision of inadequate time for rest and recovery ? Undue time/travel demands placed on students particularly between January and March The recommendations for change before Special Congress have arisen as part of a further report on the phenomenon of Burnout by the Player Burnout Task Force. (*Members added to the Task Force since Special Congress, January 2008) The members of the Task Force are as follows: An Dr. Padraig O Neill (Áth Cliath) Mairtin O Cearnaigh (Maigh Eo)* Sean O Duibheannaigh (An Dún) Micheal O Móráin (Doire) Prof Niall O Maighneach (Muineachán) Seamus Mc Ualtair (Iarmhí) Daithi Mac Gearailt (An Clár) An Dr. Sean Mac Spearáin (Aontroim)* Sean O Costagáin (Tiobraid Árann)* Jason O Riain (Port Láirge)* Colm O Ruairc (An Mhí) Micheal Mac Ranaill (Liatroim) Sean O Tóibín (Gaillimh) Dr. Eoghan de Siún (Doire) Padraig Ó Dálaigh (Páirc an Chrócaigh) - Rúnaí 12. Add to Rule 121 O.G. "The Provincial and All Ireland Championships shall be completed in the one calendar year (as the respective County Championships). Rules affected: Rule 71, 73 and 90 O.G. 13. (A) That the existing Under 21 Competitions at County and Club levels be altered to Under 20 Competitions by "Under 20" replacing "Under 21" in Rules 19, 34, 60(c), 122(h), 129 and 134 O.G.. (B) Amend Rule 134 O.G. - Age Grades by replacing Under 21 Grade with the following: "Under 20: Club - Be over 16 and under 20 years. Inter-County - Be over 18 and under 20 years Other Rules affected: Rules 19, 34, 60(c), 122(h) and 129 O.G.. (C) That the following Exception be added to Rule 134 - Under 20 - Inter County:- "Exception" In the Inter County Under 20 Football Championship, Counties that are allowed by Central Council to avail of Rule 33 Home County (C) shall be permitted to play a maximum of five Under 21 Players (i.e. be over 18 and Under 21 years on the 1st of January of the Championship Year) who have not played at Senior Football level in either Championship or National League". Other Rules affected: Rules 19, 34, 60(c), 122(A) and (H), 129 and 141 O.G.. 14. That Rule 124 - Draw be amended to read as follows:- "Provincial Councils may organise their respective Championships to take into account the relative strengths of the Counties within the Province. Provincial Championships shall be organised on a Knock-Out basis. In Inter-County Championship, one Draw shall be made to cover the entire Championship, except where otherwise provided for in these Rules. A Bye shall be given only in the First Round. Rules affected: Rules 71, 73, 122 and 123 O.G.. 15. That the following be added to Rule 135 O.G.: "A County may enter only one Team in any permitted Championship Grade unless Central Council grants permission to enter additional Team(s) for developmental proposals. Rules affected: Rules 71, 73, 122 and 123 O.G. 16. Amend Rule 123 - Provincial Championships by amending the second paragraph (re Minor Championships) to read:- "Minor Provincial Championships shall commence after the completion of the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Competitions on the second weekend of April, and shall be decided during the months of April, May and July ..... by Central Council". No other change proposed in this Motion. Rules Affected: Rules 71 and 73 O.G. 17. Add to Rule 123 (a) Provincial Championships "The Under 20 Football Provincial Championships shall be played in conjunction with the period of the National Football League. Rules affected: Rule 71 and 73 O.G. 18. Amend Rule 130 - Senior by adding the following Exception: "Exception: A player Under 20 shall not participate in the National Leagues and/or Training with a Senior Inter County Team, while the County remains involved in the Under 20 Championship in the respective Code." Rules affected: Rules 19, 34, 60(c), 122(h), 129, 134 and 141 O.G. 19. That Rule 116 - Closed Months be amended as follows:- Title the Rule - "Closed Months/Collective Training". Add to Rule: "The commencement dates for the Collective Training of Inter County Under Age Teams shall be as follows:- Under 20 Football - January 1st Minor Hurling and Football - March 1st Under 20 Hurling - May 1st An Under-Age Inter county Team shall be restricted to a maximum of three collective sessions - Training and/or Games - per week. Post Primary Schools shall have 'first call' on players who are also involved with a Team in an Inter County Under 20 Provincial/All Ireland Championship, and such players shall be restricted to Training with the Post Primary School Team only, during such dual involvement." Rules affected: Rules 19, 34, 60(c), 122(h), 129, 134 and 160 O.G. 20. That the following be adopted as a New Rule - to be included after existing Rule 116. "Higher Education Council Competitions/Collective Training Sessions (a) The Quarter Finals of all Higher Education Council Championships shall be completed prior to Christmas. (b) Higher Education Competition Teams shall have a maximum of three collective sessions - Training and/or Games - per week". Rule Affected - Rule 160 O.G. 21. That the following be adopted as a New Rule to be included after Rule proposed in Motion 20 above. "Provincial Units with responsibility for Inter County, Club, Higher Education and Post Primary Schools Competitions, shall not add or make modifications to existing Competition Structures without the prior approval of the Central Competitions Control Committee and the Management Committee". Rules affected: Rules 71, 73, 89, 90 and 160 O.G.. 22. The County Games Manager shall have responsibility for ensuring Best Practice with regard to the organisation of Games & Training inputs in an overall Player Welfare context. Ideally, this person shall have a background/qualification in the area of Sports Science. He/she shall organise an Annual Seminar with a view to ensuring that a balanced programme of games and games-based training is provided, appropriate to the needs and level of development of those involved. 23. The County Games Manager shall ensure that Best Practice Guidelines are adhered to with regard to Schools of Excellence (U.14/U.15) and Development Squads (U.16/U.17) i.e. where players participate at one level only - and are provided with eight quality training sessions and participate in day/blitzes on four occasions per year. 24. That a Plenary Session at the National Games Development Conference be devoted to the topics in Motions 22 and 23 above. 25. All Coaches at Inter-County level shall have a recognised Qualification prior to appointment. These qualifications shall be awarded on the basis of a specific level of knowledge, skill and competency 26. An on-line Diary/Logbook shall be developed which provides players with an advance warning system in respect of overtraining. 27. Competitions for 1st and 2nd Year Post Primary Schools students shall be organised at Regional/County level on a day/blitz basis. Those involved shall be provided with the opportunity to participate in such day/blitzes at least on three occasions per year. (ALL 27 MOTIONS ON THE CLÁR ARE IN THE NAME OF ARD CHOMHAIRLE.) Proposed Disciplinary Rules Changes With regard to the Disciplinary Rules changes, you should note the following in respect of what is being proposed: A. Current offences which merit an immediate ordering off will remain straight red card offences B. The following fouls will now be classified as "Highly Disruptive" and will be punishable by an immediate yellow card (i.e. the player is ordered off, but can be replaced by one of the six substitutes) 1. To pull down an opponent 2. To trip an opponent with hand(s), foot or hurley 3. To deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of a movement of play 4. To bring an arm (or hurley) around the neck of an opponent 5. To wrestle with an opponent, on the ground, and away from the play 6. To remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a Match Official C. Hurling: (from existing Playing Rules - T.O. 2008) The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the FIRST offence and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction (i.e. the player is ordered off for the second infraction, but can be replaced by one of the six substitutes) 4.32 To go outside the boundary lines to gain an advantage except as permitted by Rule 1.10. 4.33 To interfere with the goal-posts to distract opponents or to gain an advantage. 5.19 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opponent. 5.20 To engage in any form of rough play. 5.21 To make 'a pull' with the hurley from behind and around the body of an opponent that is not consistent with an attempt to play the ball. 5.22 To use the hurley in a careless manner. 5.23 To throw a hurley in a manner which constitutes a danger to another player(s). 5.24 To pull or take hold of a faceguard or any other part of an opponent's helmet. 5.25 To attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul or injury. 5.26 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to a team-mate. 6.1 To challenge the authority of a match official. 6.2 To fail to comply with a Referee's instruction to wear a helmet with facial guard up to and including the Under 21 Grade. 6.3 To refuse to leave the field of play, on the instruction of the Referee, for attention, after an injury involving bleeding. The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the SECOND infraction and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction or other cautionable foul (i.e. the player is ordered off for the second infraction, but can be replaced) 5.27 To hold an opponent with the hand(s) 5.28 (a) To charge an opponent in the back or to the front. (b) To charge an opponent unless:- (i) he is in possession of the ball, or (ii) he is playing the ball, or (iii) both players are moving in the direction of the ball to play it. (c) To charge an opponent for the purpose of giving an advantage to a team-mate. The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the THIRD infraction (that is "persistent" fouling) and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction or other cautionable foul (i.e. the player is ordered off for the fourth infraction, but can be replaced by one of the six substitutes) 5.29 (a) To push an opponent with the hand(s) or hurley. (b) To hold an opponent's hurley or pull it from his hands. 5.30 (a) To charge (in a manner otherwise permissible on an opponent) the goalkeeper in his small rectangle. (b) For a player in possession of the ball to charge an opponent. 5.31 To use the hurley to obstruct an opponent 5.32 To strike an opponent's hurley unless both players are in the act of playing the ball. D. Football: (from existing Playing Rules - T.O. 2008) The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the FIRST offence and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction (i.e. the player is ordered off for the second infraction, but can be replaced by one of the six substitutes) 4.35 To go outside the boundary lines to gain an advantage except as provided in Rule 1.9. 4.36 To interfere with goal-posts to distract opponents or to gain an advantage. 5.16 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opponent. 5.17 To block or attempt to block with the boot when an opponent is kicking the ball from the hand(s). 5.18 To prevent or attempt to prevent an opponent from lifting or kicking the ball off the ground by striking an opponent's hand, arm, foot or leg with the boot 5.19 To engage in any other form of rough play. 5.20 To attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul or injury. 5.21 To threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to a team-mate. 6.1 To challenge the authority of a match official. 6.2 To refuse to leave the field of play, on the instruction of the Referee, for attention, after an injury involving bleeding. The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the SECOND infraction and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction or other cautionable foul (i.e. the player is ordered off for the second infraction, but can be replaced) 5.22 To hold an opponent with the hand(s). 5.23 To use the fist on or around the body of an opponent for the purpose of dispossessing him of the ball. 5.24 (a) To charge an opponent in the back or to the front. (b) To charge an opponent unless:- (i) he is in possession of the ball, or (ii) he is playing the ball, or (iii) both players are moving in the direction of the ball to play it. (c) To charge an opponent for the purpose of giving an advantage to a team-mate. The following fouls would be punishable by showing the player the referee's notebook for the THIRD infraction (that is "persistent" fouling) and by showing him the referee's notebook and a Yellow Card for a repeat infraction or other cautionable foul (i.e. the player is ordered off for the fourth infraction, but can be replaced by one of the six substitutes) 5.25 (a) To push an opponent with the hand(s). 5.26 (a) To charge (in a manner otherwise permissible on an opponent) the Goalkeeper in his small rectangle. (b) For a player in possession of the ball to charge an opponent An Clár 9.30 a.m. Registration 10.30 a.m Welcome by Uachtarán and adoption of Standing Orders 10.35 a.m. Consideration of Motions 1.30 p.m. Close of Special Congress/LÓN 2.30 p.m. Meeting of Ard Chomhairle Standing Orders In order that the proceedings of the Special Congress be carried out without delay, the following Standing Orders will be observed: 1.The Proposer of a Resolution or of an Amendment thereto may speak for 5 minutes, but not more than 5 minutes. 2. A delegate speaking to a Resolution or an Amendment must not exceed 3 minutes. A maximum of two delegates from any one county shall speak on any one motion. 3. The Proposer of a Resolution or Amendment may speak a second time for 3 minutes before a vote is taken, but no other Delegate may speak a second time to the same Resolution or Amendment. 4. The Chairman may at any time he considers a matter has been sufficiently discussed call on the Proposer for a reply, and when that has been given a vote must be taken. 5. A delegate may, with the consent of the Chairman, move "that the question be now put", after which when the Proposer has spoken, a vote must be taken. 6. No motion shall be considered, other than that properly before the Congress. 7. A suspension of Standing Orders may only be allowed with the approval of two thirds of those present and voting. Tweet

Most Read Stories