Bord na nÓg Peil an Chláir 

Competition Rules and Regulations 2026 

Give Respect Get Respect  

Respect Initiative within Bord na nÓg Games in Clare. 

• All Clubs are expected to adhere to the GAA Respect initiative, "Give Respect - Get Respect". This programme seeks to ensure that Gaelic Games are promoted and played in a positive, fair and enjoyable manner where players, coaches, spectators and referees, "Give Respect - Get Respect". From each other.  

•• Referees: To be welcomed to the GAA Club. 

 •• Before the Game: Players to shake hands with their opposing player  

•• Players: Play by the rules and take responsibility for their own behaviour whilst respecting opposition, referees and officials.  

•• Referees: communicate decisions to players in an effective manner  

•• After the Game: Players to line up behind their manager/captain after the game to shake hands with the referee, opposing players and coaches  

•• Supporters: Remain in designated areas at the side of the pitch/in the stand for the full duration of each game. Always respect the match officials' officials and encourage children to do likewise, 

 Age Grades 

Bord na nÓg will administer our championship games in the 2026 season in the uneven age grade. All other grading competitions will be in the uneven age grade. 

Under 18: A Player shall have celebrated his 14th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 18th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year.  

Under 17: A Player shall have celebrated his 13th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 17th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year. 

 Under 16: A Player shall have celebrated his 12th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 16th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year.  

Under 15: A Player shall have celebrated his 11th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 15th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year.  

Under 14: A Player shall have celebrated his 10th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 14th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year.  

Under 13: A Player shall have celebrated his 9th. birthday prior to January 1st. and his 13th. birthday on or after January 1st. of the Championship Year.  

 

COMPETITION REGULATIONS. 

(B) In the event of a draw in competition semi-finals, and competition knockout stages up to and including semi-final stages, two periods of 10 minutes of extra time must be played. If still level, the game must be replayed. (Applies to U18, U17, U16, U15, U14, U13). 

 

 (C) In the event of a draw in a final two periods of 10 minutes of extra time must be played, If level after this, then two periods of 5 minutes will be played, if level after this then one period of 5 minutes will be played and so on until a result is achieved. (Applies to U18, U17, U16, U15, U14, U13). 

 (D) The first named team has home advantage.  

(E) Where a team gives a walkover for any fixture the points shall be awarded to the opposing team and, at the discretion of the Bord, a fine of €250 shall apply. 

(F) Only the official team parties are allowed inside boundary fences i.e., players and maximum of five officials.  

(G) Clubs will be formally notified once a fine has been imposed for breach of rules. All fines must be paid by end of calendar year in order for a club to be eligible to enter a team in the following years league. 

(H) For knockout stages there will be a draw with first team out having home advantage 

(I) In Under 17 or younger age grade competitions, excluding leagues covered by Go Games Policy, when teams finish with equal points for qualification for the Concluding Stages of a Competition, the tie or ties will be decided as follows:  

(J) Where two teams only are involved, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified: 

 (K) The outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the previous game in the Competition.  

(ii) If the meeting of the two teams in the Competition was a draw , the tie will be decided by a Play-Off with the following exception. When both teams qualify to advance in the Competition and the resolution of the tie is to decide placings only, the tie will be decided by the toss of a coin. 

 (iii) If the two teams did not play a previous game in the Competition, the tie will be decided by a Play-Off.  

(iv) If the outcome results in one team being eliminated, it must be a playoff. 

(L) Where more than two teams are involved, the tie shall be decided by the following means:  

(i) Where three Teams are involved and one team only will advance in the Competition, the Bord will arrange an open draw to decide which two teams will playoff. The winner of this playoff will play the third team in a playoff to determine which team will advance in the Competition. 

 (ii) Where three Teams are involved and two teams will advance in the Competition, the Bord will arrange an open draw; one team will advance in the Competition and the other two teams will play off to determine which of these two teams will also advance in the Competition. Placings of the two teams that advance will be in accordance with (K) (i) & (ii) above.  

(iii) Where four Teams are involved and one team only will advance in the Competition, the Bord  will arrange an open draw to decide pairings for two play off games. The winner of these play off games will then play to determine which team will advance in the Competition. 

 (iv) Where four teams are involved and two teams will advance in the Competition, the Bord will arrange an open draw to decide pairings for two playoff games. The winners of these two playoff games will advance in the Competition. Placings of the two teams that advance will be in accordance with (K) (i) & (ii) above.  

(M) Should during the course of the competition a team gives a walkover, then they will not qualify for a playoff and will be deemed to have lost the playoff. 

 (N) The Bord  executive has the right at any time to refer any rule or fixture to the CCC for clarification or amendment if it is considered necessary in the interest of our games and fair play.  

Gum Shields 

 Rule 4. Part 2 Equipment (Gum Shields)  

(4.3) in all football Games and Football Practice Sessions it shall be mandatory for, and the responsibility of, each individual player to use a mouth guard.  

Rule 6 - Dissent (6.2) to fail to comply with a Referee’s instruction to use a mouth guard. Penalty- Caution the offender, order off if the offender persists. 

 Second Team Regulations Part 2, Rule 2. Playing Numbers 

 (A) All games in group A & B (or division 1 & 2) shall be 15 a side. 

 (B) A team in group B may play 13 a side if they get permission from Bord na nÓg before the competition starts. A written submission must be made to Bord na nÓg via email, outlining the case for special dispensation before the allocated deadline by Bord na nÓg. 

 (C) Where a club has two teams in one age grade at championship, they must submit a panel of 15 players to the secretary of Bord na nÓg at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie . These 15 players must include all development squad players and can only play with the clubs first team. (Subject to Rule 6.19 of the T.O.) 

 (D) Clubs with three teams in one age grade At championship, they must submit a panel of 20  players to the Runaí of Bord na nÓg at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie .These 15 players must include all club development squad players available in that age grade and can only play with the clubs first team. They must also submit a panel of 15 players to the Rúnaí of Bord na nÓg at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie. These 15 players can only play with the clubs second team. Any player listed to play on a second or third  who plays in a higher division of that age grade for any reason will subsequently be barred from playing in a lower division of that age grade. 

 (E) All player lists must be sent to secretarybng.clare@gaa.ieon or before 7 days prior to the start of the commencement of the competition or on a date set by the Bord na nÓg. Failure to do so will result in loss of home games.  

Referees & Pitches 

 (A) If the appointed referee fails to turn up the replacement referee must be from the referee’s panel. If the two clubs agree on the replacement referee, the game can go ahead. 

 (B) The match referee is responsible for submitting results at the end of each game so serva sport system and website can be updated simultaneously.  

 (C) Where a pitch is unplayable, the host team must notify the Bord na nÓg Rúnaí at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie, the allocated referee, and the travelling team. They must make arrangements for an alternative pitch. If they are unsuccessful in securing a new venue, then they must travel to their opponents.  

  

 Team Sheets  

(A) Before all official games, the referee shall be given a list of players and their dates of birth, in duplicate and in Irish. This is including Under 13 and up.  

(B)  If both teams have 17 players or more for any fixture, (save for U13 Division C), they must play 15 aside. This rule will overrule all other rules on playing numbers.  

(C) Second and Third Team lists will be shared by Bord na Nóg Secretary with competing club secretaries via the protected GAA network. Please note that sharing these lists outside of this network is a breach of Child Protection and GDPR regulations. 

(D) Teams are required to use Foireann team lists and must include players’ Dates of Birth.  

(E) Team sheets for all League and Championship Finals must be submitted 5 days in advance to the Bord na nÓg Secretary at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie. Sharing these lists outside of this network is a breach of Child Protection and GDPR regulations 

 

 

 

Postponements  

(A) Postponements will not be granted, except by mutual agreement between the two clubs involved.  

(B) A postponed fixture must be played prior to the penultimate round with result sent in & if not club requesting postponement must concede match. The Bord nan Og Rúnaí must be notified in writing by email before the date of the original fixture as to when the refixture will take place. No postponements will be allowed for the final round of all leagues and all previous rounds must be completed before the final round.   

(C) Postponements will only be granted when the Rúnaí is notified in written format via email, and the Rúnaí has responded to grant the postponement.  

(D) Any correspondence to Bord na nÓg relating to a fixture must include the Bord na nÓg Rúnaí and the secretary of both clubs involved in the fixture.  

(E) It is the responsibility of the club seeking postponement to notify the referee; however, best practice is recommended where both clubs contact the referee to confirm.  

(F) Any games re fixed by the Bord na nÓg cannot be postponed by mutual agreement.  

(G) Any un-played rounds will be declared null and void.  

Substitutes 

 Unlimited substitutes allowed at all age grades U18, U17, U16, 15, U14 and U13.  

Clash of Jerseys 

In the event of a clash of colours’ for any underage fixture, both teams must change to an alternative colour unless otherwise agreed with both clubs, if in league or championship semi-final / Final, the alternative colour must be forwarded to Bord na nÓg Runaí at secretarybng.clare@gaa.ie along with the team sheets.  

 

Trophies 2026  

Return policy of All trophies for Winners in all Competitions must be returned by 1st April and the Club name as winners in 2024. Failure to do so, replacement of a trophy of equal value and loss of rebate of funds to clubs. It is the Club’s responsibility to ensure the trophy is engraved for the year they won. 

Féile 2026 

 (A) For the purposes of Féile qualifying competitions all participating teams will play under National Féile Playing Rules at U15 Age Grade. Rules will circulate in advance of competition. 

 (B)Féile will be run in Blitz format over one week, on or before 4th of May 2026. 

 (C) Féile will be grouped in A, B and C groupings and will be graded by Bord na nÓg at the start of the year. 

Scoring 

At phase 1 of the U13 competition 2026, teams shall be allowed to score 3 goals only after which any goal scored by that team the referee will record same as a point. 

The Bord shall review this at the end of phase 1 of this competition. 

 

Playing Rules For Competitions U15, U16, U17 & U18 
Age  | U15  | U16  | U17  | U18 
Group  | A & B*  | C+  | A & B*  | C+  | A & B*  | C+  | A & B*  | C+ 
Division  | 1 & 2*  | 3+  | 1 & 2*  | 3+  | 1 & 2*  | 3+  | 1 & 2*  | 3+ 
Pitch  | Full  | Full  | Full  | Full  | Full  | Full  | Full  | Full 
Numbers  | 15 A/S  | 13 a side (if both have 17 must play 15 a side  | 15 A/S  | 13 a side (if both have 17 must play 15 a side  | 15 A/S  | 13 a side (if both have 17 must play 15 a side  | 15 A/S  | 13 a side (if both have 17 must play 15 a side 
Ball Size  | 4  | 4  | 5  | 5  | 5  | 5  | 5  | 5 
Kickout  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal  | Off the ground as normal 
Duration  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins 
Subs  | Unlimited  | Unlimited  | Unlimited   | Unlimited   | Unlimited   | Unlimited   | Unlimited   | Unlimited  
Other  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full  | New FRC rules apply  in full 

 

Rules For Competitions U13 & U14
Age  |   | U13  | U14
Group  |   |   | A & B*  | C+  | A & B*  | C+
Division  |   |   | 1 & 2*  | 3+  | 1 & 2*  | 3+
Pitch  |   |   | Temporary Goals (15’w x 6’h) 13m -13m Small Square  | Temporary Goals (15’w x 6’h) 13m -13m Small Square  | Full  | Full
Numbers  |   |   | 15 A/S  | Max 13  | 15 A/S  | 13 a side (if both have 17 must play 15 a side
Ball Size  |   |   | 4   | 4   | 4  | 4
Kickout  |   | The Goalkeeper may kick the ball out from his hands. The Kickout to be taken 20m from goal  | The Goalkeeper may kick the ball out from his hands or the ground and maybe taken 5m outside 20m line. 
Duration  |   |   | 50 mins  | 50 mins  | 60 mins  | 60 mins
Subs  |   | unlimited  | Unlimited
Other  |   | Player in possession has only 1 play. (1 hop or 1 solo)   | Player in possession has only 1 play. (1 hop or 1 solo 
Other  |   | 45’s from hand or ground  | 45’s from hand or  ground 
Other  |   |   | Kickouts to be taken 5m outside from 20m line 
Other  |   | No advanced Mark /– all other FRC rules will apply  | New FRC rules apply  in full 
Other  |   | No Penalties  |  

Sínithe – Seosamh mac Consaidín     Prionnsias Ní Shúileabháin 

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