GAA Congress 2026: Historic weekend as GAA players prepare to take their seats at the head table

This weekend’s GAA Annual Conference in Croke Park could mark one of the most important moments in the modern history of GAA Rounders. Among the 25 motions that will be debated by delegates, Movement 2 stands out as a historic proposal – one that would see a GAA Rounders representative officially added to Ard Chomhairle for the first time. If passed, it would finally give the Rounders a seat at the GAA’s main decision-making table.

A seat in preparation

Submitted by Old Leighlin (Carlow), Motion 2 proposes to expand the membership of the Central Council to include representation from GAA Rounders. Even if the wording is modest, the impact would be profound. Rounders has been part of the GAA for generations, but unlike football and hurling – and even more recent structures within the association – it has operated without direct representation at the highest level of governance. This absence was often felt in a practical way. Decisions about facilities, development funding, governance structures and long-term planning have always been made without a dedicated Rounders voice in the room. A successful vote would immediately change this dynamic. More than symbolism, this would bring the Rounders influence and visibility at the highest level of the association.

Congressional agenda: 25 motions, big implications

The GAA Annual Conference takes place on Friday and Saturday in Croke Park. A total of 25 motions will be debated and voted on by delegates, submitted by various units including the Central Council, the Amateur Status Review Committee, the CCCC, the Hurling Development Committee, the Demographics Committee (along with the Standing Rules of Play Committee), CCC Development and the Rules Advisory Committee. In total, 23 motions are changes to existing rules (requiring more than 60% approval) and two are new rules (requiring more than 50% approval to pass).

Simplified guide: what each motion is about

• • Motion 1: Changes how the five-year rule for county officers is calculated, including a proposed rule change (Meath).

• • Movement 2: Add a GAA Rounders representative to Ard Chomhairle by changing the composition of the Central Council (Old Leighlin, Carlow).

• • Movement 3: Redefines ‘first club’ by lowering the age category from U12 to U10 (Kilteely-Dromkeen).

• • Motion 4: Changes an exception to the ‘one county per year’ championship rule for under 21s when a player’s club does not have a team, allowing them to play with another club rather than an independent team (Kerry).

• • Motion 5: Proposes an inter-county eligibility restriction: to play in the Senior Inter-County Championship, a player must have played in eight club league/championship matches in the previous year (Clontarf).

• • Motion 6: Seeks to clear All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals; also proposes changes to the format of the Joe McDonagh Cup (Laois). (If this passes, Motion 18 will not be heard.)

• • Motion 7: Sets the All-Ireland minor finals in Croke Park as a curtain raiser to the respective senior finals (Tempo Maguires).

• • Motion 8 (new rule): Limits the senior inter-county playing season to 30 competitive weekends (31 if an All-Ireland final replay is required) (GPA).

• • Motion 9: Clarifies that match officials will not be required to attend hearings or give oral evidence/cross-examination (Abbeylara).

• • Motion 10: Specifies when a decision under appeal takes effect – either after the end of the appeal period or after the outcome of the appeal is rendered (Abbeylara).

• • Motion 11: Modifies the threshold for convening an extraordinary general meeting of the club at 10% of members or 25 members (whichever is greater) (Castledaly).

• • Motion 12: Updates the wording to allow at least three female nominations to the Management Committee (Central Council).

• • Motion 13: Expands ‘Winner of the Day’ to provincial football finals (currently All-Ireland finals are rebroadcast after extra time).

• • Motion 14: Moves All-Ireland finals back by two weeks (no later than the 32nd Sunday of the year), prevents inter-county competitions before the 4th Sunday and removes pre-season competitions; includes concessions for counties reaching the All-Ireland final.

• • Motion 15 (new rule): Introduces a certification concept allowing counties to participate in senior inter-county competitions (Amateur Status Review Committee).

• • Motion 16: Restates/reforms an existing rule on amateur status to indicate what can be done as well as what cannot be done (Amateur Status Review Committee).

• • Motion 17: Discusses New York’s participation in the inter-county championships and how this interacts with hurling groups, promotion and relegation.

• • Motion 18: Removes the SHC Preliminary Quarterfinals (CCCC). (Will fall if motion 6 passes.)

• • Motion 19: Introduces football dissent rules to hurling, with free kicks advanced 30 meters (instead of 50).

• • Motion 20: Begins a process of developing policy on the definition of a club, giving county committees the ability to determine clubs within their county.

• • Motion 21: Helps small rural clubs by allowing county committees to adjust the number of outfields to no less than 11 (allowing 12-a-side play).

• • Motion 22: Expands the membership of the Development CCC and provides authority for annual operational reviews of U17 and under competitions.

• • Motion 23: Extends the powers of the Central Council to interpret codes as well as rules.

• • Motion 24: Allows counties to use an online system for club transfers.

• • Motion 25: Introduces the Central Council’s Permanent Residency Guidelines for transfers/eligibility, allowing counties to apply the criteria in these guidelines.

Why Motion 2 matters most to Rounders

For GAA Rounders, this is not a simple administrative vote. If Motion 2 is passed, it will mark a significant change in the way sport is represented and heard within the association: visibility, voice and influence at the highest level. In years to come, Congress 2026 may be remembered as Rounders Weekend finally took its place at the GAA main table.

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