Gaelic Football to get new rugby-style rule after motion passed at Congress

The end of the forward pass…

Just kidding. We all know the forward pass was consigned to the dustbin years ago.

GAA Congress has been in session this weekend and on Saturday morning Motion 41 was passed which could dramatically alter Gaelic Football.

Footballers will now be able to call a mark when they take a clean catch from a kick-out, much like the current rule in rugby.

68% voted to pass the motion which championed by Jarlath Burns.

A player can take a mark when they catch a kick-out which hasn’t touched the ground, once it has cleared the 45m line.

The player can then choose to take a free kick or play on immediately.

The full description of the details of Motion 41 are as follows:

• Motion 41: This motion provides for the introduction of ‘the mark’ in Gaelic football.

  “When a player catches the ball cleanly from a Kick-Out without it touching the ground, on or past the 45m line nearest the KickOut point, he shall be awarded ‘a Mark’ by the Referee. The player awarded a ‘Mark’ shall have the options of (a) Taking a free kick or (b Playing on immediately.

  The following procedures shall apply:

  (a) A Free Kick

  The player shall signify to the Referee that he is availing of and then take the free kick himself from the hand from the point where he was awarded the ‘Mark’.

  Once the player indicates he is taking the ‘Mark’ the Referee will allow up to five seconds for the player to take the kick. If the player delays longer than five seconds the Referee will cancel the ‘Mark’ and throw in the ball between a player from each side. Once the player indicates he is taking the ‘Mark’, the opposing players must retreat 10m to allow the player space to take the kick. If an opposition player deliberately blocks or attempts to block the kick within 10m, or if an opposition player impedes the player while he is taking the kick, the Referee shall penalise the opposition by bringing the ball forward 13m.

  If the Referee determines that the player who makes the ‘Mark’ has been injured in the process and is unable to take the kick, the Referee shall direct the Player’s nearest team mate to take the kick but he may not score directly from the kick.

  (b) Play on immediately (i) In this circumstance the player may not be challenged for the ball until he carries the ball up to a maximum of four consecutive steps or holds the ball for no longer than the time needed to take four steps and/or makes one act of kicking, hand passing, bouncing or toe-tapping the ball.

  (ii) If he is illegally challenged, a free kick shall be awarded to his team from the point at which the challenge is made, and this free kick may be taken by any player on his team.”

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