As of summer 2020, the Super 8s will have a new look.
No longer will Croke Park be the competition’s de facto HQ. County and provincial grounds are going to receive a slice of the pie and on the whole, the competition will be a much fairer and much more balanced play-off.
GAA congress is in full swing, and here are some of the weekend’s highlights.
GAA president
New York GAA representative Larry McCarthy has narrowly defeated Armagh’s Jarlath Burns to become the GAA’s next president, and the first ever overseas candidate to lead the organisation. McCarthy, a Bishopstown Cork native, had trailed his Silverbridge rival after the first count but gained from the transfers and was the first to pass the 139 quota.
McCarthy won an All-Ireland club football title with Limerick’s Thomond College in 1978, and plans to return home for his three year stint as president.
The votes are in and Larry McCarthy (New York) has beaten Jarlath Burns (Armagh) to the GAA presidential vote 🗳️ pic.twitter.com/DE5NOEFd3X
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) February 28, 2020
Hurling black card
No way Jose. Hurling will remain as is, hurling people are spared of the drama and controversy the dreaded black card has unloaded on Gaelic football. The motion was annihilated by 82% to 18% and Kilkenny GAA chairman Jimmy Walsh summed up the thoughts and feelings of many hurling people.
“There are enough rules,” he said.
“The contest of 15 v 15 is what makes hurling great,” added Walsh.
There will be no black card in hurling ✖️⬛️
Motion annihilated by 82% to 18% 👊
And ladies and gentlemen, hurling people all over, hurling will continue to deal with 'black card' offences the right way🙌#ManUp#Whist pic.twitter.com/rsVInn2ftt
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) February 29, 2020
Short kick-out in football
In the instance of a short kick-out in football, a defender will be penalised for passing the ball back to their goalkeeper. Many marauding goalkeepers will be unhappy with the developments here.
“The penalty proposed for a breach of this rule would be a free-kick awarded to the opposition from the position the goalkeeper receives the pass, or if the goalkeeper is inside the 13m line when in receipt of the pass the free will be from the 13m line opposite where the foul occurs,” read the Congress notes.
Defenders are no longer allowed to pass back to goalkeepers after receiving a short kick-out.
The penalty for such is a free-kick from wherever the goalie receives the pass.
Harsh on marauding goalies 🕊️🕊️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/E28gGiYLns
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) February 29, 2020
70 minute game in club GAA
The motion to extend adult club matches from hour long contests to 70 minute contests was soundly defeated at congress. The idea had been put forward by Down GAA, but was voted against by 79% of delegates. Club players with fitness doubts breathe a sigh of relief.
Neutral venues in Super 8s
Dublin’s county board CEO John Costello was one of the first up to support the motion to spread Super 8s neutral games around the country.
“Dublin always support motions that protect the integrity of the competition”
It will still be an option for counties to play their neutral game in Croke Park, but that will be their own choice.
Tier Two
John Horan has confirmed that this summer’s Tier Two competition will be named the Tailteann Cup, based on the old Tailteann games that took place in Ireland many summers ago.
