LGFA approve new playing rules for championship
Michael Bolton
The LGFA have approved the package of 12 playing rule enhancements trialled during the National League.
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.
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.”
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.
