From next year, All-Ireland finals will be played in high summer - no later than mid-July - instead of autumn or, as was the case last year, deep winter, unless in exceptional circumstances. Photo: Sportsfile

'Split season' gets formal approval at Congress

Published:

The split season that separates club and county competitions has been formally approved by the GAA today at Congress.

The new model will see All-Ireland finals played no later than mid-July from next year, with the club season running from July 24/25 until the end of October.

A Fixtures Calendar Review Task Force proposal, it received full support from delegates at Congress.

There is provision for Central Council to make other arrangements for fixtures in the event of exceptional circumstances, such as with the current Covid-19 pandemic, for example.

Meanwhile, the All-Ireland junior football championship has been restored and will involve a native New York, Kilkenny, and the winners and runners-up of the British junior championship in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, the semi-finals of the All-Ireland U20 hurling championship have been scrapped, with the provincial winners qualifying directly for the final, senior hurlers will be prevented from lining out with Under 20 county teams (similar to the rule in football), and a sin bin will be trialled in this year's hurling league and championships.

The sin bin trial, devised by the standing playing rules committee, means a cynical foul committed inside the 20m line or semi-circle that denies a clear goal-scoring opportunity, in either hurling or football, will result in a 10-minute sin-bin for the offending player and a penalty for the attacking team.

Published: