Rialacha Imeartha 2012
Please note:
* Rules highlighted in blue are amendments to existing rules. Amendments are further highlighted in bold
and italics.
* Rules highlighted in red are new rules.
* Rules highlighted in black have not changed.
Playing Rules
Where competitions for under 16 and other formats are concerned, clubs, county boards, provincial
councils, national education councils may adapt the playing rules in relation to team composition,
substitutions, duration of match, pitch dimensions and the size, weight and material of the sliotar. Such
adaptations must be approved as competition rules at a properly constituted general meeting of the
relevant unit. In inclement weather all players aged under 16 may wear matching tracksuit bottoms in
addition to their uniform. Rules governing eligibility Rule 28.4 (age restrictions) of Treoraí Oifigiúil must
apply.
Rules for twelve a side Camogie are detailed at the end of this document.
15 A-SIDE CAMOGIE
Playing Rules should be read in conjunction with Duties of the Referees Lines Officials and Umpires, Rules
41 42 and 43 of An Treoraí Oifigiúil.
1. Name of the Game
The name of the game is Camogie.
2. Team Lists
2.1. Each team shall provide the Referee with a list in duplicate on Form C.C.2 (either hand written or
electronically generated) of the full names in Irish and/or English of its players and substitutes.
The list shall be signed by an Official authorised by the Club/Board/Council. The team list shall be
given to the Referee by the commencement of the second half of the match. Failure to comply
with this Rule shall result in a fine being imposed on the defaulting team by the committee in
charge of the competition.
3. Teams’ Composition
3.1. A team must be comprised of fifteen players who must be affiliated and registered
members of An Cumann Camógaíochta in accordance with the Rules. Eligibility to play in
a competition will be determined by the rules and approved bye-laws.
3.2. The team line-out must be as follows:
• Goalkeeper
• Three full-backs
• Three half-backs
• Two centre-field players
• Three half-forwards
• Three full- forwards
3.3. Each team must have at least twelve players to commence a match. A match may continue with
less than twelve players aside, only in the event of a player(s) ordered off or retired injured.
A team commencing with less than 15 players may add to their team only during a stoppage in
play and on players notifying, in writing, the Referee. Such players must already be included on
the team list submitted to the referee.
4. Duration of games
4.1. The time of actual play must be sixty minutes. A half-time interval of not more than ten minutes
should be allowed. Teams must switch ends on resumption of the game after half-time.
4.2. Extra Time
In the event of extra time being played, its duration will be ten minutes each half. Teams must
switch ends on resumption of the game after half-time. A half-time interval of not more than five
minutes should be allowed.
5. Substitution of Players During a Game
5.1. Substitution means the replacing during a game or at half-time of any of the fifteen players of a
team, other than a player dismissed from the field of play by the Referee. Only five substitutions
per team will be allowed.
A substitution is not allowed in the case of a player ordered off.
A substitution may only be made during a stoppage in play and on notifying, in writing, the
Referee. A team which makes more than five substitutions will forfeit the game to its opponents.
Exception:
A maximum of 8 substitutions may be made in under 14, under 16, under 18 and adult league
competitions at all levels. This does not apply to championships at all levels regardless of
competition structure or format.
5.2. Temporary Substitution/Blood replacement
A player who is bleeding or who has blood on any part of her body, playing attire or playing
equipment, as a result of an injury sustained during play, must on the instruction of the Referee,
immediately leave the field of play to receive medical and/or other attention. She will not be
allowed to return to the field of play until the bleeding has been cleaned off and, where possible,
the injured area has been covered, any bloodstained playing attire has been replaced and any
blood-stained equipment has been fully cleaned. In that circumstance, a Temporary Replacement
may be used, and the following acts will not count as substitutions under Rule 5.1.
a. the use of the temporary replacement for a player instructed to leave the field of play.
b. the return to the field of play of the injured (blood) player as a direct replacement for
the temporary replacement.
c. the return to the field of play of the injured (blood) player as a replacement for any
other player if the temporary replacement has previously been sent off or substituted.
5.3. Substitution in Extra Time
For the purpose of extra time in all formats, when played, a further maximum of five substitutions
will be permitted.
6. Playing gear
- Teams are required to wear distinctive colours. In all instances all members of the same
team must be uniformly dressed.
- Playing gear must be of Irish manufacture if possible. It must consist of:
- skirt/skort/divided skirt, sports jersey with long or short sleeves, knee socks and boots.
Bodywear may also be worn.
- Goalkeepers may wear team tracksuit in all competitions other than national finals.
- The crest of An Cumann Camógaíochta must be displayed on the team jersey and
skirt/skort/divided skirt.
7. Equipment
7.1. Hurley (Hurl/Camán)
A player may play with a hurley which is bound with a metallic substance if covered with
adhesive tape, but not with a hurley deemed dangerous by the Referee. A player may not play
with a hurley the bas of which exceeds 13 cm in width with the exception of the Goalkeeper
Should a player, who has already been warned by the Referee, persist in playing with a hurley
which does not comply with the above, she shall be dismissed from the field of play in
accordance with Rule 41.9 (c).
7.2. Helmet/Facial guard
In all Camogie games and training sessions it is mandatory for all players to wear an approved,
i.e. NSAI Standard IS355, helmet with facial guard.
Penalty: If not complied with in camogie games the referee will firstly caution the player for dissent. If the
player continues to refuse to wear a helmet she will be dealt with in accordance with Rule 41.9(c) for
dissent.
7.3. The Sliotar
The weight of the sliotar must be 90-110 grams and it must be 21 cm in Circumference (size 4).
Sliotars produced by manufacturers that are approved by the Camogie Association/GAA must be
used.
7.4. Protective gear
Protective gear such as shinguards, gumshields and hand protection may be used.
8. The pitch
a. The pitch must be rectangular, from130 metres to 145 metres long and from 80 metres
to 90 metres wide. The boundaries must be marked by a distinctive line and the four
corners indicated by flags.
b. Lines indicating 13 metres, 20 metres and 45 metres from each end line, and the half
way line, must be marked. The points from where these lines join each side-line must be
indicated by flags;
c. Equidistant from each corner on the end-lines must stand two upright goalposts, 6.5
metres apart and a minimum of 7 metres high. There must be a crossbar 2.5 metres
from the ground joining the goalposts to form a goal space;
d. 3.75 metres outside each goalpost a line 4.5 metres long must be marked at right angles
to the goal-line. The ends of these lines must be joined to form the small parallelogram,
14 metres by 4.5 metres in front of the scoring space;
e. 6.25 metres outside each goalpost a line 13 metres long must be marked at right angles
to the goal-line, the ends of these lines being joined by the 13 metres line to form the
large parallelogram, 19 metres by 13 metres, in front of the scoring space;
f. A semi-circle of radius 13 metres, the centre of which is on the mid-point of the 20
metre line, must be marked.
8.1. Goal Nets
Goal-nets must be used and securely fixed to the cross bar and goalposts.
9. Rules of Play (normal and extra time)
9.1. At the start of each match the Referee must toss a coin, in the presence of both
Captains, for choice of ends.
The players must then take their respective places. At the start of each half the Referee must
count the number of players on the field.
9.2. The Referee will commence or recommence play in each half by rolling the sliotar along the
ground on the halfway line between the four centre-field players who must stand one behind the
other on their own defensive sides of the half-way line. All other players must remain in their
respective positions at least 7 metres from the Referee until an attempt to strike the sliotar has
been made.
9.3. The Referee will recommence play after any stoppage (other than 9.4 below) by rolling the
sliotar on the ground between two players while facing the nearer side-line. Where the throw in
is too near that side line or in the event of a clashed side line ball, the referee faces the field of
play. No other player may approach within 10 metres until an attempt to strike the sliotar has
been made.
9.4. When play is stopped due to an injury away from play to an opposing player the team in
possession of the sliotar retains possession when play recommences by being granted an indirect
free.
9.5. The sliotar is in play once it has been thrown in by the Referee, or struck by a player after the
Referee has signalled to restart play.
The sliotar is out of play when:
a. The Referee signals a stop
b. The sliotar has passed completely over the side/end line
c. The sliotar has been prevented from going over side/end line, when touched in play by
a referee, match official, team mentor or flag
d. When a score occurs
9.6. A player may:
a. Strike the sliotar with the hurley on the ground or in the air
b. Lift the sliotar off the ground with the hurley or with the feet or with a
combination of hurley and foot;
c. Catch the sliotar with one hand;
d. Catch the ball twice
e. Hand-pass the sliotar with one hand;
f. Drop the hurley
g. Carry the sliotar in the hand for a maximum of four consecutive steps or hold the sliotar
in the hand for no longer than the time needed to take four steps
h. Kick the sliotar
9.7. A player may tackle an opponent who is in the act of playing or in possession of the sliotar by:
a. Blocking an aerial or ground puck;
b. Play the opponent’s hurley with minimal force (flick) from the ground or in the air with
own hurley
c. Hooking an opponent’s hurley with own hurley;
d. Playing with minimal force (tap) the underside of the bas of an opponent’s hurley while
she is carrying the sliotar on it
e. shadowing the player without deliberating interfering with the hurley or body of an
opponent
9.8. Ending play
The Referee, having allowed time for stoppages, must terminate play by blowing the whistle and
indicating by hand signal at the end of the official time in each half.
10. Foul Play
10.1. Technical Fouls
A player may not:
a. Pick up the sliotar from the ground with the hand
b. Touch the sliotar on the ground with the hand, except when the player with the
sliotar in her hand falls to the ground and the sliotar touches the ground
c. Throw the sliotar away from her
d. Throw the sliotar up and catch it
e. Pass the sliotar from one hand to the other
f. Hop the sliotar on the hand
g. Catch the sliotar with two hands
h. Overcarry or overhold the sliotar
i. Take the ball out of play by covering or lying on the sliotar
j. Catch the sliotar more than twice
k. Be prevented from playing the ball by being sandwiched by two or more
opponents
l. Chop, i.e. strike downwards on an opponent’s hurley
m. Hold opponent’s hurley or pull it from her hands
n. Tap an opponent’s hurley other than as permitted in 9.7(d)
o. Place a hand(s) on an opposing players back
p. Deliberately interfere with the hurley or body of an opponent
Penalty: A free to the opposing team from where the foul occurred. If foul occurs inside the 20m line the
free will be given on the 20m line closest to where the foul occurred.
10.2. Rough play, dissent and abusive language
A player must not:
a. Deliberately shoulder an opponent
b. Trip, catch, hold or pull down an opponent
c. Charge (pushing or moving into an opponent’s body or failing to avoid full
frontal contact with an opponent), back into or obstruct an opponent;
d. Reach from behind with the hurley or around the body of an opponent which is
not consistent with an attempt to play the ball
e. Use the hurley to ‘dig’ an opponent
f. Throw the hurley
g. Engage in any form of rough play
h. Show dissent with any decisions of the Referee and/or match officials
i. Use abusive or threatening language or gestures to a Referee, match officials,
players or mentors
j. Interfere with an opponent’s helmet
k. Attempt to strike an opponent with or without hurley
l. Attempt to kick an opponent
m. Play without a helmet
n. Use a hurley of incorrect size
o. Use the hurley to obstruct an opponent
Penalty: For a first offence, a player has her name and jersey number taken by the referee and is given a
warning from the Referee indicated by a yellow card. For a second offence, a player has her name and
jersey number taken by the referee, a second yellow card is issued and is followed by a red card and the
player dismissed from the field of play (see Rule 41.9 /41.10 An Treoraí Oifigiúil). A free is given to the
opposing team where the foul occurred. If the foul occurs inside the 20m line the free is given on the 20m
line closest to where the foul occurred.
10.3. Aggressive fouls and dangerous play
A player must not:
a. Strike an opponent with the hurley
b. Strike an opponent with the arm, elbow, hand, knee or head
c. Punch an opponent
d. Kick an opponent
e. Stomp on an opponent
f. Spit at an opponent or official
g. Contribute to a melee
h. Assault any official
i. Interfere with the faceguard of an opponent’s helmet.
Penalty: A player has her name and jersey number taken by the Referee and issued with a red card and
dismissed from the field of play (see Rule 41.9, 41.10 and 44). A free is given to the opposing team where
the foul occurred. If foul occurs inside the 20m line the free is given on the 20m line closest to where the
foul occurred.
11. Advantage rule and frees
11.1. Playing advantage
In the event of a foul by a player(s) on an opponent who is in possession of/in the act of playing
the sliotar, the Referee may allow play to continue if s/he considers such to be an immediate
advantage to the offended team. The Referee must indicate that advantage has been allowed by
raising one hand above her/his head. Having allowed play to continue, the Referee may not
subsequently award a free for that foul. The Referee must, during the next stoppage in play,
apply to the offending player(s) the appropriate sanction in accordance with Rule, where she/he
deems such is warranted.
11.2. Free taking
In the event of a foul by a player(s), a free must be awarded to the opposing team from where
the foul occurred. A free must also be awarded in other instances as specified in these Rules. The
Referee must indicate the spot from where the free must be taken. A free must not be taken
until the Referee has blown the whistle.
11.3. For all frees, including a side-line puck, once the sliotar has been placed by the player at the spot
indicated by the Referee or line umpire, and the whistle blown, the sliotar may not be reset
except with the express permission of the Referee.
Penalty: A throw in by the referee where the foul occurred.
11.4. For all frees, other than a sideline ball, the sliotar may be struck on the ground or be lifted and
struck with the hurley in one continuous movement. Lifting the sliotar and then balancing it on
the hurley before striking is deemed to be a foul. The sliotar may not be taken in the hand or
hopped on the hurley when lifted for a free. For a side-line puck, the sliotar may be struck on the
ground only. It may not be lifted.
Penalty: A throw in by the Referee where the foul occurred.
11.5. Should the free-taker fail to lift and/or strike the sliotar at the first attempt she may strike it on
the ground but may not lift it again.
Penalty: A throw in by the Referee where the foul occurred.
11.6. The free-taker may not play the sliotar a second time until another player has touched it, except
where the sliotar rebounds off a crossbar or upright.
Penalty: A throw in by the Referee where the foul occurred.
11.7. No player may approach within 10 metres of the free-taker until an attempt to strike the sliotar
has been made, and no player may physically or verbally distract a free-taker. (A player holding
her hurley upright does not constitute as interference.)
Penalty: A free must be awarded from a point 10 metres nearer to the offending player’s goal but not
within the 20 metre line of that goal.
11.8. If a foul is committed on a player after she has played the sliotar, a free must be awarded from
where the sliotar lands.
a. Should a score have resulted, it must be allowed.
b. Should the sliotar have crossed the end-line, or landed within 20 metres of the end-line,
the free must be awarded from a point on the 20 metre line opposite where the sliotar
landed.
c. Should the sliotar have crossed the side-line, the free must be awarded from the point
where the sliotar crossed, or, if within 20 metres of the end line, it must be awarded
from the 20 metre line.
11.9. Should a player from each team foul at the same time, the Referee must throw in the sliotar
between two opposing players where the foul occurred. If within the 20 metre line, the sliotar
must be thrown in on the 20 metre line at the point opposite where the foul occurred.
11.10. The referee must extend time to compensate for any deliberate delay in taking a free.
Penalty: If a player deliberately delays a free, the referee will add on additional time. Persistent delay in
taking the free is regarded as dissent. The player’s name and jersey number will be taken by the referee
and a yellow card is issued.
11.11. When a team is awarded a free and an opposing player shows dissent the referee may move the
sliotar forward 10 metres.
11.12. 20 metre free
Should a foul be committed on an attacking player within 20 metres of the end line and outside
the large parallelogram, the free must be awarded from a point on the 20 metre line opposite
where the foul occurred:
In the event of a 20 metre free, should a member of the defending team show dissent or be in
breach of Playing Rules 11.7, the free must be awarded from a point on the 20 metre line 10
metres nearer to the centre of the goal. If within 10 metres of the centre, the free must be taken
from a point opposite the centre.
11.13. Penalty shot
Should a foul be committed on an attacking player within the large parallelogram, a penalty free
must be awarded from the centre point of the 20 metre line. Not more than three defending
players may stand on the goal line. With the exception of the free-taker, all other players must
remain outside the 20 metre line and outside the semi-circle until the sliotar has been struck.
Should a foul be committed by a defending player(s) before the sliotar is struck and a score does
not result, the Referee must allow the penalty free to be retaken. Rule 7.1 applies in relation to
the size of the goalkeepers hurley.
11.14. 45 Metre Free
Should a player from the defending team play the sliotar across the end-line, the Referee must
award a free to the attacking team from a point on the 45 metre line opposite to where the
sliotar crossed the end-line. The last person touching the sliotar must be considered the last
person playing the sliotar.
Should the sliotar strike anyone other than a player at or near the end-line, and if the Referee
adjudges that in so doing the sliotar was prevented from going out of play, a wide or 45 metre
free as applicable must be awarded.
11.15. When a clashed sliotar crosses the end-line it must be regarded as wide.
Rules affected by this motion: 13.1
12. Side-Line Puck
12.1. Should a player play the sliotar across the side-line, the Referee must award a free ground puck
to the opposing team from the point where the sliotar crossed the line.
12.2. When a clashed sliotar crosses the side-line the Referee must throw in the sliotar between two
opposing players at the point where the sliotar crossed the line. If within 20 meters of the endline
the sliotar must be thrown in on the 20 metre line.
12.3. Should the sliotar strike anyone other than a player at or near the side-line, and if the Referee
adjudges that in so doing the sliotar was prevented from going out of play, a free ground puck
must be awarded against the team of the player who last touched the sliotar.
13. Puck-Out from Goal
13.1. When the sliotar is played over the end-line, i.e., wide, by the attacking team or from a clashed
sliotar crossing the end line, the Referee must award a puck-out from within the small
parallelogram to the defending team.
13.2. A player taking the puck-out must strike the sliotar from her hand.
13.3. Should the player taking the puck-out miss the sliotar at the first attempt she may
a. lift and strike it
or
b. strike it on the ground
She may not take it into her hand a second time.
Penalty: 45 metre free to the opposing team from a point opposite to where the foul occurred.
13.4. A player may not puck-out the sliotar from outside the small parallelogram except after a score.
After a score the player must puck out the sliotar without crossing the 13m line.
Penalty: 45 metre free to the opposing team from a point opposite to where the foul occurred.
13.5. For all puck outs the players of the opposing team must remain outside the 20 metre line until an
attempt to strike the sliotar has been made.
13.6. The referee must extend time to compensate for any deliberate delay in pucking out the sliotar.
Penalty: If a player deliberately delays a puck out, the referee will add on extra time. Persistent delay in
taking the puck out is regarded as dissent, the player’s name and jersey number be taken by the referee
and a yellow card is issued.
14. Small Parallelogram (square ball)
14.1. Should a player of the attacking team enter the small parallelogram before the sliotar enters it
during play, a free out must be given to the defending team from the edge of the small
parallelogram. Should there have been a score it will be disallowed.
Exception:
Should a point have been scored from outside the small parallelogram it must be allowed
provided that the player who had entered the small parallelogram had not interfered with the
defence and that the sliotar was sufficiently high to be out of reach of the defence and attack.
14.2. Should a player of the attacking team legally enter the small parallelogram and the sliotar is
played away from that area but is returned before the attacking player has time to leave the
small parallelogram, she will be deemed not to have committed a foul.
Should this result in a score, it will be allowed.
14.3. In the event of a free, no player of the attacking team will stand outside the endline behind the
small parallelogram.
15. Scores
15.1. A goal is scored when the sliotar is played by either team over the goal-line, between the goal
posts and under the crossbar, except when carried in the hand or thrown over the goal-line by an
player. A goal will be equal to three points.
15.2. A point is scored when the sliotar is played by either team over the crossbar and between the
goalposts, except when thrown by any player.
15.3. When the sliotar is played by a team through its own goal or over the crossbar, the score will be
awarded to the opposing team.
15.4. When the sliotar is played directly over the crossbar from a sideline ball, the score will be worth
two points.
15.5. A score will be allowed if, in the opinion of the Referee, the sliotar was prevented from crossing
the goal-line by anyone other than a player.
15.6. The team with the highest score at full time will be deemed to be the winner.
15.7. When teams finish with equal scores at full time, the match will be declared a draw.
12 A-SIDE CAMOGIE
12 a-side Playing rules should be read in conjunction with Duties of the Referees Lines Officials and
Umpires, Rules 41 42 and 43 of An Treoraí Oifigiúil, and with Penalty rules 44 and 45 of An Treoraí Oifigiúil.
16. Team Composition
16.1. A team must be comprised of twelve players who must be affiliated and registered members of
An Cumann Camógaíochta in accordance with the Rules. Eligibility to play in a competition will be
determined by the Rules and approved bye-laws.
16.2. The team line-out must be as follows:
a goalkeeper, one full-back, three half-backs, three centrefield players, three half forwards and a
full-forward.
16.3. Each team must have at least nine players to commence the game. The game may be continued
or finished with less than nine players aside. Players may be added to a team during a stoppage
in play on notifying the referee in writing. Such players must be on team list given to Referee.
17. Substitution
17.1. Substitution means the replacing during a game or at half-time of any of the twelve players of a
team, other than a player dismissed from the field of play by the Referee. Only three
substitutions per team will be allowed. A substitution may only be made during a stoppage in
play or on notifying, in writing, the Referee.
A team which makes more than three substitutions must forfeit the game to its opponents.
18. The Pitch
18.1. The pitch must be rectangular, from 95 metres to 110 metres long and from 60 – 80 metres wide.
The boundaries must be marked by a distinctive line and the four corners indicated by flags.
18.2. For all Inter-County, Inter-Provincial and All-Ireland Club Championship matches, maximum pitch
measurements, i.e., 110 x 80 metres must be used.
18.3. Lines indicating 15 metres and 30 metres from each end-line, and the half-way line, must be
marked. The points where these lines join each side-line must be indicated by flags.
18.4. Equidistant from each corner on the end-lines will stand two upright goalposts, 4.5 metres apart
and 6 metres high. There must be a crossbar 2 metres from the ground joining the goalposts to
form a goal space.
18.5. 2 metres outside each goal post a line 4 metres long must be marked at right angles to the goalline.
The end of these lines must be joined to form a parallelogram 8.5 metres x 4 metres in front
of the scoring space.
19. Rules of Play
19.1. No player may approach within 10 metres of a free-taker until an attempt to strike the sliotar has
been made, and no player may physically or verbally distract a free-taker. A player holding her
hurley upright will not constitute an interference.
Penalty: The free willl be awarded from a point 10 metres nearer to the offending player’s goal but not
within the 10 metre line of that goal.
19.2. Where a player from the defending team plays the sliotar across the end-line the Referee must
award a free to the attacking team from a point on the 30 metre line opposite to where the
sliotar crossed the end-line.
The last person touching the sliotar will be considered the last person playing the sliotar.
19.3. Where the sliotar strikes anyone other than a player at or near the end-line, and if the Referee
adjudges that in so doing the sliotar was prevented from going out of play, a wide or 30 metre
free as applicable must be awarded.
19.4. When a clashed sliotar crosses the side-line the Referee must throw in the sliotar between two
opposing players at the point where the sliotar crossed. If within 15 metres of the end-line the
sliotar will be thrown in on the 15 metre line.
20. Fouls
20.1. If a foul is committed on a player after she has played the sliotar, a free will be awarded from
where the sliotar lands. If a score should have resulted, it will be allowed. If the sliotar has
crossed the end-line or has landed within 15 meters of the end line, the free will be awarded
from a point on the 15 metre line opposite to where the sliotar landed. Where the sliotar has
crossed the side-line, the free will be awarded from the point where the sliotar crossed that
sideline or, if within 15 metres of the end-line, it will be awarded from the 15 metre line.
20.2. Where a player from each team fouls at the same time, the Referee will throw in the sliotar
between two opposing players where the foul occurred. If within the 15 metre line, the sliotar
will be thrown in on the 15 metre at a point opposite where the foul occurred.
20.3. If a foul is committed on an attacking player within 15 metres of the endline, the free will be
awarded from a point on the 15 metre line opposite to where the foul occurred. Should a
member of the defending team show dissent or be in breach of Rule 12.7 the free will be
awarded from a point on the 15 metre line 10 metres nearer to the centre of the goal. If within
10 metres of the centre, the free will be taken from a point opposite the centre.