Connacht GAA Post Primary Schools Competitions-

General Rules for 2026/27

1) All correspondence for schools will go out via email to your official GAA School email address.

2) All communication in regards school’s competitions must come through the school’s designated coordinator, (admin.school.county@gaa.ie

3) Due to the tight timetable, we have available to play off our competitions, especially with Senior Competitions going to All Ireland Stages, all matches must be played on or before the fixture date listed. All fixtures are listed on the Connacht GAA Schools website http://schools.connacht.gaa.ie/

4) Any unfulfilled games not played prior to the final round of the round robin fixtures will be declared null and void.

5) Mutual postponements will only be allowed when both schools notify the Connacht GAA Office, (reception.connacht@gaa.ie), via email of the agreed new date, and this is sanctioned by the Schools Committee. All games not played under the above will be deemed null and void.

6) Walkovers- Any walkovers for games must be notified to reception.connacht@gaa.ie on or before the scheduled date of the game by both schools involved. Notification received after the scheduled date will not be considered.

7) Results for all games, (Football & Hurling) to be notified to the Connacht GAA Office immediately after the match by both teams via email to reception.connacht@gaa.ie This to include the name and contact details of the referee for the game.

8) If a Championship is partly organised on a League basis, the following Regulations shall apply:

(i) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win, and one for a draw.

(ii) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams.

(iii) A County Committee may make regulations, setting out criteria to rank teams which finish with equal points. In default, a tie shall be decided by the application of the following criteria in the order specified:

(1) The higher number of League Points obtained in the ‘Head-to-Head’ games defined as the games in which the teams involved in the tie have played each other.

(2) The higher Scoring Difference (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For) in the ‘Head-to-Head’ games.

(3) The higher Scores For in the ‘Head-to- Head’ games.

(4) If, having applied criteria (i) to (iii) inclusive, there are still teams with an equal ranking, criteria (i) to (iii) are applied to the ‘Head to Head’ games between the teams which remain tied.

(5) The higher Scoring Difference in all games in the League Group.

(6) The higher Scores For in all games in the League Group.

(7) A Play-Off.

Games Awarded Without Score (e.g., a walk -over) Involved in a Tie-Breaker Team Awarded Game. Its ‘Average Score For’ and ‘Average Score Against’ achieved in games played (in Head-to-Head or All the Group, as applicable) shall be added to its ‘Score For’ and ‘Scores Against’ totals. Team Against whom

Game was Awarded. It shall have zero added to its ‘Score For’. Its ‘Average Score Against’ conceded in games played (in Head-to-Head or All Group, as applicable) shall be added to its ‘Score Against’ total.

Exception to (iii): A Play-Off shall decide a tie in Under 17 and younger Age-Grade Competitions unless a County’s Competition Regulations provide otherwise.

(As per Rule 11.1(e) G.A.A. Codes 2026)

9) All Knockout games will be “Winner on the Day”. If level after normal time, extra time will be played (two periods of ten minutes), and if still level, a “penalty competition” to decide the outcome. Match regulations & player registration form will be forwarded on.

10) If home venue, or alternative, is not available for home matches, teams must travel to opponent’s venue.

11) All schools must have a Staff Member from the school in charge of their team rather than Fulltime Coaches/outside personnel.

12) Referees must be paid before the start of all matches, the €50 fee to be shared by the two schools.

13) Football- It is the responsibility of all players to wear mouth guards-

Hurling- It is the responsibility of all players to wear helmets.

14) Participating schools are responsible for the behaviour of their players, managers and supporters.

15) Particular attention and respect for club property and club personnel where matches are played should be a priority.

16) Rules regarding discipline and playing games as per Official Guide.

17) Age Groups- see agenda

(6.11 T.O. 2026).

Grades/Competitions Age Limits

Senior 4 year age span(born after 01-01-2008 and before 01-01-2012)

Junior Born on or after 01-01-2010 and before 1-7-2014

Juvenile born on or after 01-01-2012

18) PLC Students are not eligible to play in Post Primary Competitions.

19) Any school wishing to have a team regraded for a particular competition must include with their application supporting evidence to support their application.

20) Schools that have entered additional teams into the Competitions must indicate their first 15 players, these players can only play with their ‘A’ team and cannot be used on other teams.

21) Match Days for

Connacht Colleges Football Competitions.

· Monday- Junior

· Tuesday- 1st Year

· Wednesday- Senior(Combination Teams-Friday)

· Thursday- Juvenile

Connacht Colleges Hurling Competitions.

· Tuesday- Junior

· Wednesday- Juvenile

· Thursday- Senior(Combination Teams(Monday)

· Friday- 1st Year

22) Playing Rules-

All games are 30 minutes per half

Football Competitions

– 1st Year & Juvenile Competitions- Unlimited substitutions are allowed on the referee’s permission and only permitted in a break in play.

– 1st Year- The Goalkeeper has the option of taking the kickout from the ground or his hands.

– A size 5 Football to be used in all grades except 1st Year where a Size 4 football must be used.

– The 1st Year D & E Football Competition games to be played on 13-a-side basis, however if both teams agree 15-a-side may be played.

Playing Rules- Hurling Competitions

– 1st Year & Juvenile Competitions- Unlimited substitutions are allowed on the referee’s permission and only permitted in a break in play.

– The 1st Year C Competition games to be played on 13-a-side basis, however if both teams agree 15-a-side may be played.

– A size 5 sliotar to be used for all grades except 1st Year where a Size 4 sliotar must be used.