Rule 132

[carnaross]

I see the new rulebook has ben published. Rule 132 states that an under 16 cannot play under 21 or open-age games. This could have a serious effect on clubs in Britain. I know counties can apply for deviation, but what do people think about it?

[darbyo]

I think it's a good rule, obviously if a club can't field an U 21 team without 16 year olds then dispinsation could be made, but it(the rule) should be strictly enforced and exceptions should be only genuine cases, i.e a club can't physically put 15 players on the field over 16 years of age.

[Rossfan]

About bloody time something was done to stop the abuse of kids.
In fact I would go further and now allow U18s to play U21 or allow U 16s to play minor etc.
If there are problems with numbers in specific Counties how about 13 a side or even 10 aside.

Our Co Minor team this year have been without our star sharpshooter from last year (Donie Shine) because he was playing so many games over Autumn/winter -colleges Adult club,u21 club etc etc.

[Louth Exile]

It was badly needed

[carnaross]

Might work in Ireland with potential burn-out issues being a major concern, but there's no school's/college's games in the North of England. Clubs in that area struggle to promote and develop the game and if under 16's cannot play in the older age competitions, they will lose interest and consequently, the game suffers. As to reducing the number of players in the teams, that would work, but would only be allowed after a bye-law, introduced at the County's Annual Convention, or at an EGM. The old chicken and egg situation. Maybe the powers-that-be should have looked at the effect of this rule's introduction on the GAA outside Ireland before introducing it as a blanket rule. Maybe, thinking outside the box is not within the remit of the GAA.

[carnaross]

Of course Child Protection is an issue and has to be maintained at all times, however, not all 16's would be physically able to play open-age. Only the strongest players would be involved. 

[lawnseed 2]

actually its up to your own county board to decide whether or not to enforce the rules as they are written, from a personal experience our club has played 16yr olds in senior games and i can say that the only serious injury took place when a player was taking part in a soccer match not related in any way to our club he hasnt kick a ball since and had no insurance

[Pangurban]

Sensible rule, pity it took so long to reach statute book

[carnaross]

actually its up to your own county board to decide whether or not to enforce the rules as they are written, from a personal experience our club has played 16yr olds in senior games and i can say that the only serious injury took place when a player was taking part in a soccer match not related in any way to our club he hasnt kick a ball since and had no insurance

County boards have no choice but to enforce the rules. They can only ask for deviation if a rule would adversely affect that County's clubs' ability to field in games. My club has an important under 21's game coming and without one or two under (strong) 16's, we will struggle to field on that day.