GAA approves all FRC changes, including to 3v3 rule

The GAA has approved the Football Review Committee's latest batch of Gaelic football rule tweaks in time for the final two rounds of the Allianz League. The motions were voted upon online last night and have been approved by Central Council this morning. They will come into full implementation now at county level and club games will be at the discretion of respective counties until 1 May. The primary focus of the latest changes was on the 3v3 rule, which in its original guise was being used by many teams to create an overload in attack by bringing their goalkeeper up the field as an extra attacker, resulting in a 12v11 scenario and prolonged periods of keep ball around the middle by the attacking team. In the final two rounds of the League - and presumably in Championship, barring more changes - the team in possession must have at least four players in their half of the field, which may include the goalkeeper. Effectively, it means a goalkeeper is free to foray forward, but only if a fourth defender stays within his team's own half to balance the numbers in the attacking half of the field. The other major issue with the 3v3 rule had been the impact - or lack thereof - on teams reduced in numbers due to red or black cards. The ability to keep 11 players back and reduce the numbers in attack meant that teams did not suffer disadvantage corresponding to their punishment. From this weekend, teams reduced in numbers must still keep three in the opposition's half of the field at all times. There was some confusion during the League when teams lost a player to a red or black card but that anomaly has now been eradicated. Similarly, the team who have seen a player dismissed must keep four players in their own half when they are in possession of the ball. A breach of the 3v3 rule - which is now a 3v4 - in carrying, receiving or intercepting the ball or attempting to do so is a free kick from where the player crossed the halfway line. There is an easing of accidental, unintentional or marginal breaches of the proposed "four back, three up" rule. Players who go four metres across the halfway line or are not interfering in the play will not be punished. Elsewhere, changes to the hooter/end of game have also been approved, with it to be adopted in all four divisions from here on, as well as all Championship games. FRC chairman Jim Gavin has seen all the committee's tweaks adopted Now, after the hooter sounds, the end of the first half or full-time is signalled by the referee on the next occasion that the ball goes out of play for a score, for a wide or for a sideline kick. If a 45 has been awarded but not taken, before the hooter sounds, the free kick can be taken and, if it results in a score, without any other player touching the ball, that score shall be awarded. The kick-out reaching or going past the 40m line remains. A player who claims a kick-out mark can play on immediately and not be challenged for four metres. If the player is challenged in that space, a free kick shall be awarded 50 metres more advantageous to that player up to the opposition's 13m line. The player can also bring it back to outside the 40m arc for a two-point score. An advantage has accrued if a point or a goal is scored. If no advantage has accrued to the team of the player awarded the mark, the referee will signal "no advantage gained" and the ball will be taken back to the points of the mark. The removal of the word 'directly' from the definition of a two-point score being played "over the bar between the posts...kicked by a player who has at least one foot on or outside the 40m arc and without the ball having been touched by another player". The recommendation is to delete the word 'directly', as in some case the ball may not go over directly and only one point will be awarded. For example, if the ball hit the post, but still went over the bar and between the posts - the intent is that this will receive two points A dissent infraction by a team official will now cost their team a 20m free rather than a 13m free but the free can be brought out to the 40m arc for a two-point attempt if so desired. Watch Kerry v Armagh in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app Listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 Watch Allianz League Sunday from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to updates around the country on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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