LGFA approve new playing rules

A Ladies Gaelic Football Association Special Congress has voted through the package of 12 playing rule enhancements trialled during the 2026 Lidl National League season and Higher Education Colleges competitions.

The suite of changes will now be enacted into rule and apply instantly for all adult intercounty championships at provincial and national levels.

What were previously trial rules were warmly received by players, coaches and match officials alike and were rubberstamped by delegates in Tullamore last evening.

Six of the 12 changes mirrored the GAA Football Review Committee’s rule enhancements in the men’s game.

They are the kickout mark, the two-point scoring arc, the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times, the solo and go, and frees being brought forward for tactical fouling or dissent from the sideline.

The six other rule changes looked specifically at current LGFA rules, including those related to the tackle, with the overall aim of ensuring that the playing rules of the game are fair, consistent, inclusive, and reflective of the modern development of the sport.

The LGFA had established a Playing Rules Review Workgroup to conduct a comprehensive examination of current rules, to identify areas for improvement, and to recommend changes for consideration.

The workgroup was headed up by former LGFA President Mícheál Naughton, who was joined by former Leitrim star Maeve Quinn, inter-county referees Jonathan Murphy and Siobhán Coyle, current inter-county players Caroline O’Hanlon (Armagh) and Danielle Caldwell (Mayo), and former players Mary Jo Curran (Kerry) and Fiona Claffey (Westmeath).

Former Dublin manager Mick Bohan and AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Championship winning manager Willie Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Galway) were also Workgroup members, along with Dr. Siobhán O’Connor from Dublin City University, from a Medical/Player Welfare/Research viewpoint, and LGFA CEO, Lyn Savage.

A comprehensive survey collated views from a number of stakeholders, with almost 3000 responses gathered.

The feedback reflected a strong desire for a change in the tackle but not full physicality, and innovations that promote speed, skill, and attacking football, while maintaining fairness and player welfare.

The Playing Rules Review Workgroup proposed that the package of playing rule enhancements to be piloted in the Lidl National Football League and HEC competitions only – and they were then reviewed after Round 3 of the 2026 Lidl NFL.

Following the conclusion of the Leagues last weekend, motions were brought forward to Special Congress and strongly approved.

The new playing rules will be implemented as follows:

•Applying instantly for all adult intercounty championships at provincial and national levels.

•In 2027 for juvenile intercounty championships as these competitions have all commenced for the current year of 2026.

•In 2027 for the All-Ireland Under 20 Championship as this is commencing in the coming week.

•Counties do not need to implement the new playing rules for any competitions already commenced in their counties but they have the option to do this if ratified at their county board meetings.

•The new playing rules must be implemented for all U18 club championships that have not already commenced or that will commence within this month and for all adult club championships in 2026, including adult club championship in Britain and Europe.

•From 2027, the new playing rules must be implemented across all competitions from Under 13 to adult.

•The new rules must be implemented from the 2026-2027 academic year for Post Primary Schools and Higher Education competitions.

•International Units do not need to implement the new playing rules until 2027, except adult championship listed above, but they have the option to do this if ratified at their board meetings.

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Trina Murray, reflected: “I would like to sincerely thank our players, match officials and coaches for the vital role they have played in trialling the rule enhancements across the 2026 Lidl National League and Higher Education competitions. Their engagement, honesty and willingness to embrace change have been central to this process. I also want to pay tribute to the outstanding work of the Playing Rules Review Workgroup, whose dedication and expertise have guided this process from the outset. The feedback to date has been extremely positive, and we have already seen a tangible impact in terms of improving the speed and flow of the game. The adoption of these rules represents a significant and progressive step forward for Ladies Gaelic Football at all levels.”

A full suite of education will now be provided to all match officials, coaches and players over the coming weeks with in-person workshops in 17 locations, online live webinars and a self-led module. Full details are available at https://bit.ly/3O7Ulu5