GAA release details of free-taking competition to settle draws after extra-time

Just in time!

Mikey Stafford

GAA release details of free-taking competition to settle draws after extra-time

We have some clarity.

If any of the National Hurling League quarter-finals two weekends ago had finished in a draw, this is what would have happened.

Attempts to condense the intercounty calendar and free up space for the club game have seen extended periods of extra-time and even a free-taking competition introduced to eliminate the need for replays.

The new system will not be used for the senior Championships, but rather the special Under-17 football and hurling Championships, as well as the hurling league semi-finals and next year’s new Under-20 football championship.

In a press release Tuesday, the GAA clarified how the new system will work.

To get to the drama of a free-taking competition, the matches must first be level after normal time, then an initial extra-time period consisting of two 10-minute halves and, then, a second extra-time period of two five-minute halves.

In other words, this Sunday, for the league semi-finals to go to a free-taking competition, the matches would have to be level after 100 minutes of hurling.

Whoever still has the energy to lift a hurl can take part in the free-taking competition.

Below is the GAA’s outlining of the new concept.

– Each team will nominate 5 free takers for the competition and indicate to the
referee in which order (1 to 5) the free takers will take the frees

– The 5 players above must be chosen from players who have participated in the
game, either in normal time or in one of the periods of Extra Time.

– Players who receive a red card in Hurling or Football, and players who receive a black
card in Football, in normal time or any of the four periods of Extra Time are not permitted to participate in the free-taking competition.

– The Referee will toss a coin for choice of ends in the presence of the Team Captains. The Captain who wins the toss will choose which end the free taking competition should be played into and will have the option of his team going 1st or 2nd.

– The Referee will ensure two goal umpires are in place at the end in which the competition is being played into.

– Frees will be taken by each of the five players from a position of their choosing on the 65 (Hurling) or 45 (Football) metre line. Frees in football may be taken from the hands or off the ground.

– In Hurling, frees shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of T.O 2016 Cuid II – Rules of Set Play Riail 2.5 (a) and (b) and Rules of Foul Play 4.24, 4.25 and 4.27. Breaches of these provisions will render frees null and void and they cannot be retaken.

– In football, frees shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of T.O 2016 Cuid II Rules of Set Play – Rule 2.5 and Rules of Foul Play 4.23, 4.24 and 4.26. Breaches of these provisions will render frees null and void and they cannot be retaken.

Frees will be taken for points only, with no goalkeeper / defenders facing the free- takers.
With the exception of the player taking the free, all other players, managers, officials, backroom personnel etc should be at their designated sideline area, and off the field of play when the free-taking competition is taking place.
The game is awarded to whichever team scores more of their 5 frees.
If still level then sudden death frees to be taken using the same 5 players in order
(i.e. first sudden death free is taken by the player who took the first free for each side, 2nd sudden death free if required to be taken by the player who took the 2nd free and so on).
If a player scores in sudden death and his direct opponent misses, the game is awarded to the team of the player who has scored.
The sudden death element will continue until such time as there is a definite outcome (i.e. returning to the first player(s) and repeating the sequence again if required)

So, there you have it.

Picture it: One man alone of the field, trying to nail a 45 or 65 as the entire crowd and both sets of players watch on from the sideline.

Will make for a hell of a scene.