GAA Rule Book

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GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

OF GREATER NEW YORK

Constitution and Bye laws

Revised: March 2010

Officers 2010

Chairman: Larry McCarthy
1st Vice Chairman: Brendan O'Sullivan
2nd Vice Chairman: John Fitzpatrick
Treasurer: John Phelan
Secretary: Liam Bermingham
Financial Secretary: Liam Moffat
Registrar: Mary Murphy
Auditors: John Kelly, Seamus Dooley, Frank Molloy
Trustees: Denis Twomey, Thomas Fahey, Thomas Lilly
Sergeant at Arms: Joseph Prunty
Custodian: Tom Nugent
P.R.O.: Joan Henchy
Development Officer: Paddy Gormley
Assistant Secretary: Geraldine O' Brien

Division Officers

Senior Hurling Division Chairman: Eddie Gowran

Senior Football Division Chairman: Lawrence McGrath

Intermediate Football Division Chairman: Terry Connaughton

Junior Football Division Chairman: Donie O'Sullivan

Minor Board Division Chairman: Dan McKenna

DATES

Affiliations: First meeting in February.

Convention "Election": First Sunday in December.

Convention "Rules": On or before the third Sunday in February.

Schedules: First meeting in March.

Transfers: Third meeting in February.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order

2. Reading of minutes of the previous meeting

3. Communications

4. Payment of bills

5. Report of Financial Officer

6. Report of Committees

7. Schedules

8. Referee's Reports

9. Unfinished Business

10. New Business

11. Good and Welfare

12. Adjournment

CONSTITUTION

NAME

The Association shall be known as the Gaelic Athletic Association of Greater New York.

OBJECTIVE
1. The objective of the Association shall be the cultivation and preservation of Irish national games and pastimes.
2. The Association shall be strictly non-political and non-sectarian. No political questions shall be asked at any of its meetings.
3. The Association shall be a non-profit organization.

REPRESENTATION
1. Each club shall be represented at meetings of the Association on the basis of two delegates per team or in their absence by duly authorized proxies.
2. A club which does not take part in, withdraws from, or does not complete its schedule obligations in any Championship competition, shall lose representation in respect of the defaulting team at all meetings of the Association.
3. Suspended clubs shall not be represented at any meetings of the Association until they are re-instated.
4. A delegate may represent only one club.

ANNUAL CONVENTION

a. The Annual “ Election” Convention shall be held on the first Sunday of December.
b. The annual “Rules” Convention shall be held in February, on or before the third Sunday.

At the Annual Convention each club shall be represented on the basis of two delegates per team.

At the Convention elections a delegate may vote only once on any issue.

A club which does not take part in, withdraws from, or does not complete its schedule obligations in any Championship competition shall not be eligible to make nominations, table motions, vote, or take part in the Annual Convention in respect of the defaulting team.

The Association delegates to the Annual GAA Congress shall be elected at the Annual Convention. The Chairman and Secretary of the Association are automatically delegates. The remaining delegates are selected in following order, 1 st Vice-Chairman, 2 nd Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Registrar, until the delegation is complete.

Nominations of officers shall take place at a meeting prior to the Convention designated by the governing body. Such meeting shall be announced at two prior consecutive meetings. (Deviation from General Rule requested)

All delegates for office must be duly accredited representatives for at least one year prior to the Convention at which they will be candidates for office.

The names of the delegates and proxies who are to represent the various clubs at the Annual Convention and meetings of the Association must be sent to the Secretary prior to the Convention. The names of the delegates may not be changed after the night of nominations.

Clubs of nominators or nominees to any office must have their affiliation fee paid to the Financial Secretary prior to the Convention.

Nominees must be present to be nominated. In the event of an emergency written notice, signed by the nominee will be accepted to signify acceptance of the nomination.

A candidate's name may appear on the “Convention Election Ballot Form” once only. An elected officer cannot hold a position as Chairman of a Division.

The Bye laws of the Association are reviewed each year at the Convention. A simple majority vote of the Convention is sufficient for making, amending or deleting a bye law. A two thirds majority of those entitled to vote and voting is necessary for any change in the Constitution. (Deviation from General Rule Requested)

The rule book shall be updated within two weeks of the Convention and the new rule book shall be the sole guideline for conducting the business of the Association.

OFFICERS

The officers of the association shall be the Chairman, 1st Vice Chairman, 2nd Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Registrar, Sergeant at Arms, Trustees (3), Auditors (3), Custodian, PRO , Development Officer, and Assistant Secretary,such officers to be elected annually from duly affiliated clubs.
An officer, who misses three consecutive meetings of the association or Board of Officers without just reason, shall have his/her office declared vacant and a substitute elected in his/her place. (Deviation from General Rule requested.)

CHAIRMAN
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Association other than those provided for in the Constitution. He shall impartially put all motions, duly seconded and in order, to a vote and declare the result thereof. He/She shall have no right to vote unless the vote is a tie in which case he must cast a deciding vote. He/She shall appoint all Committees necessary for the welfare of the Association other than those provided for in the Constitution. The Chairman cannot serve longer than three consecutive years in office. The outgoing Chairman shall continue as an officer “ex-officio” for one year after the termination of his elected term. The Chairman shall automatically be the NY Board delegate to the Central Council of the GAA.

FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN
The First Vice-Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Association in the absence of the Chairman and shall be governed by the same rules as the Chairman. He/She shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee during his term of office.

SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN
The Second Vice-Chairman shall be Chairman of the Games Administration Committee and shall supervise the selection of referee's.

TREASURER
The Treasurer shall keep the funds of the Association in a checking account in the name of the Gaelic Athletic Association. All withdrawals from the checking account shall bear the signature of the Treasurer. He/She shall act in conjunction with the Financial Secretary at games.

SECRETARY
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all meetings of the Association and keep a correct account of all business transacted and give a full report at regular meetings. He/She shall give a report at each regular meeting of the Association of the business transacted at the Committee meetings. It shall also be the duty of the Secretary to receive and read at meetings all correspondence in connection with the Association, and to reply as directed by the Association, or by the presiding officer, at meetings of the Association. He/She shall keep a correct list of all delegates representing clubs and shall notify clubs and referees of each schedule.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The Financial Secretary shall receive all funds, dues etc. of the Association and hand them over to the Treasurer. It shall be his/her duty to collect the expenses of the teams and referees and have same for the Treasurer at the following meeting.

REGISTRAR
The Registrar shall keep all official lists of the Association in accordance with the rules. He/She shall also keep a record of all transfers made and of all players and clubs suspended by the Association.

SERGEANT AT ARMS
The Sergeant at arms shall be at all meetings of the Association and announce visitors. He/She shall also assist the Presiding officer in the maintenance of order.

TRUSTEES
The Trustees shall be the custodians of the property of the Association.

AUDITORS
It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to audit the books twice yearly and report its findings at the first regular meetings of the Association in June and December. The report of each half yearly audit shall be filed with the Secretary and the same shall be recorded in the minute book.

CUSTODIAN
The custodian shall be responsible for the provision of equipment for games, including field markings, sliothars, footballs, signs etc.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Duties to be assigned.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The duties the development officer shall include, but shall not be limited to, enhancing the development of underage hurling and football, advancing relationships between the Board and other jurisdictions, particularly in North America, developing and managing summer coaching camps and other responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Board of Officers.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY
The assistant secretary shall provide assistance to the secretary in his/her duties as outlined, and substitute for the secretary in his/her absence.

STANDING COMMITTEES

BOARD OF OFFICERS
The Board of Officers shall consist of all elected Officers, “ex-officio” officer, plus the Chairmen of the Senior Football, Senior Hurling, Intermediate Football, Junior Football, Junior Hurling Divisions and the Minor Board.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall be elected annually. It shall consist of all the elected officers, including the Chairperson of the senior, intermediate and junior football divisions, the Chairperson of the senior and junior hurling divisions, and the Chairperson of the minor division, excluding the Chairman of the Board. The Senior Officer shall be the Chairman of the Executive. A quorum of an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of five members plus the Chairman. This is excluding interested parties.
A member of the Executive Committee is an interested party if his club, native County club or a person from his native County are involved in an objection or any judgment being acted on by the Executive Committee.
A member of the Executive Committee who misses any meeting on an objection or investigation shall not be allowed to sit in on any subsequent meetings on that objection or investigation.

GAMES ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Games Administration Committee shall consist of the Second-Vice Chairman and one elected representative from each division.
It shall be the duty of the Games Administration Committee to schedule games four weeks prior to the game if possible. Tie games shall be rescheduled at the discretion of the Games Administration Committee. The Committee shall have the power to eliminate games from the schedule having no direct bearings on the final league standings. The Games Administration Committee shall appoint referees for all games except where there is an interested party in which case they should step down.

MEETINGS
A meeting shall be convened by the senior officer present and shall require that at least ten affiliated clubs are represented to form a quorum.

BY- LAWS

1. The Gaelic Athletic Association of Greater New York is affiliated with the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland .
2. The Minor Division is recognized as a division of the New York Board and is entitled to the same privileges as all other divisions.
3. The first meeting in February shall be the deadline for applications to affiliate all teams.
4. All teams when affiliating at the start of the season must submit the names of the Chairman/ Chairman and Secretary of the club together with the names of the delegates and proxies. This remains the official list until the club notifies the Association in writing of any changes. The new list shall be read out at a regular meeting of the Association.
5. ( a) A new Football or Hurling team must have twenty playing members before it can be affiliated. Players who played in the previous years' championship cannot be included on the list, submitted with the application for affiliation, or play for a new club with the exception of players going to their native County which will be limited to 2 players.
( b) A player or players may not transfer to a team of any club which has not competed in or completed its schedule obligations in the previous year's championship with the exception of players going to their native County which will be limited to 2 players.
6. Clubs from areas under the jurisdiction of the New York Board wishing to affiliate teams to the New York Board shall be permitted to use their city, area or school name.
7. All games, competitions, events or awards involving the Association, its clubs, teams or players must have the prior approval of the New York Board. A written request must be made to the Board by any person, club, organization or corporation wishing to stage or sponsor such event or award.
8. Affiliated clubs cannot play non- affiliated or suspended clubs in organized areas. In areas where there is no organization or with schools with organized areas the Association may grant permission.
9. Each team is responsible for the conduct of its players, officials, and members while participating in any of the activities of the Association.
10. All suspensions by a recognized authority here and in Ireland shall be honored.
11. Members of a suspended club cannot compete with any other club during the term of the suspension.
12. No suspended player shall take part in any league, championship, or exhibition game until the term of his suspension has been completed.
13. Only Championship, League or necessary fill in competitions needed to provide schedule games shall count towards working off of suspension.
14. A player is regarded a senior, intermediate, junior or minor according to his competition.
15. A player may not play with two teams in the same competition.
16. A junior player may be advanced by registration to a senior team of the same club name. However if he takes part in any senior competition he may not play junior again in the same year.
17. Players being re-graded at the start of the playing season must stay intermediate/ junior for two games. However if the intermediate/junior team is knocked completely out of the competition before they play two intermediate/junior games they are permitted to go back intermediate/senior after their intermediate/senior teams next scheduled game of that year's competition. However they cannot be re-graded again in that year's competitionn.
18. A Senior team seeking to be re-graded may only drop one division.
19. Each competing team shall furnish a list of its players in duplicate before the start of game to the referee. This list shall contain the name of each starting player and the names of the substitutes in full. The referee shall sign both copies and give one copy to the opposing team captain and the other copy must be submitted with his report. Official forms must be used for lists of players and substitutes.
20. Upon entering the game all substitutes shall submit their names in full and in writing to the referee. All names on these lists shall be printed. Abbreviated christian names are acceptable.
21. The penalty for omitting the name of a player or for failing to submit the name of a substitute is loss of game.
22. All players must wear correctly numbered jerseys and their name and number on the team sheet must correspond with the jersey that they are wearing. Penalty for infraction - $100.
23. No team is allowed more than five officials on the sideline during a game: A team with more than five officials on the sideline - Penalty: Loss of expenses.
24. In the event of a clash of colors both teams shall change jerseys.
25. Ninety minutes is allowed for each game on Sunday. Teams arriving fifteen minutes late: loss of game. In the event both teams are late the game shall be played for the amount of allotted time left for that game. Both teams must leave the field at the end of time allotted for said game.
26. Perpetual cups shall be provided for the New York Championships. They shall be presented to the captains of the winning teams on the day of the final. Such cups shall not bear the name of any living person.
27. The Association will provide a set of twenty five standard medals, emblematic of the Association to the winners of the senior and junior football, senior and junior hurling and the u – 21 championships. These medals shall be without commercial endorsement.
28. Any club which loses, damages, or fails to return a championship trophy to the Association before the start of the playing season shall be required to pay the cost of repairing or replacing same. Divisional Chairmen shall be responsible for notifying clubs of the return date.
29. Each club shall be assigned on a rotating alphabetical basis to man the main entrance and sideline gates each Sunday during the playing season.
30. The Presiding Chairman shall appoint an officer to officiate on a given date. The officers shall rotate according to seniority and shall be appointed at the first reading of the schedule for that date. The officer of the day shall have the authority to appoint a referee if the teams about to compete do not agree to one.
31. If players get injured in International games or in training for such games the New York Board is regarded as their club.
32. All communications received at a regular meeting shall be read at that meeting.
33. All business handled at a division level shall involve that division only.
34. A division report found to be in order and adapted by the body cannot be changed at any subsequent meeting at any level.
35. The winner of the Intermediate Football championship shall be promoted to the Senior division except where the club already has a senior team. The winner of the Junior Championship shall be promoted to the Intermediate division unless the club already has an Intermediate team.
36. When the winner of the Junior or Intermediate division are promoted the team at the bottom of the division to which they are promoted must be re-graded.
37. The team that finishes at the bottom of the Senior Hurling Division shall be relegated. In the event of two teams being tied on points at the bottom, a play-off shall take place to decide who should drop down to junior.
38. Only the team which has won division Championships the previous year may be promoted the following year.
39. Any senior team withdrawing from a senior championship competition shall only be permitted to return at junior level.
40. The rules governing the drafting of players shall be made at Annual Convention (Football 8: Hurling 8). A player must be a legitimate intermediate or junior player in order to be drafted. A legitimate intermediate or junior player is defined as any player transferred into NY by July 20 th , the year prior to the draft.
Senior Football: 6 from either the Intermediate or Junior division plus 2 who are or were in the minor grades in the NY minor division.
Intermediate Football : 4 from the Junior Division
Exception: A 60 day sanction players who is the property of an intermediate or junior team and who remains in the NY jurisdiction upon completion of his sanction, and who has transferred to NY by March 1, is eligible to be drafted.
A players status as a junior or intermediate player in the previous year's championship shall determine eligibility.
Players on a team being re-graded or re-grading from the senior to intermediate, or from intermediate to junior shall be deemed to have competed at this new level in the previous year's competition and are eligible for the draft.
41. The National Anthems of Ireland and the United States of America shall be sung at appropriate G.A.A. occasions. The National Anthem of Ireland shall be sung in Irish on all such occasions.
42. a. All clubs are required to register their players on official New York Board registration forms accompanied by two pieces of photo id for each player on the list. The Registrar shall hold one set of id cards and the registration forms and the club shall retain the duplicate set of id cards. Beginning April 1 st all players must produce a New York GAA photo id when requested to do so by the referee at the request of the opposing team manager.
Penalty for infraction: loss of game.
b. Prior to his first game a 60 day sanction player must register in person with the NY Board. To register the player must produce his valid passport to the Officer of the day, the Chairman, Registrar, or Secretary of the Board. Failure to do so shall result in loss of game for club and one game suspension for player to be served with that club.
c. For his first game, and only his first game, a sixty day sanction player may meet the requirement of section A of this rule by showing his valid passport to the Officer of the day, the Chairman, Registrar, or Secretary of the Board. Failure to do so shall result in loss of game for club and one game suspension for player to be served with that club.
For his second and subsequent games all 60 day sanction players are required to comply with section A of this rule.
Penalty for infraction: loss of game
d. Prior to his first game an inter county transfer player must register in person with the NY Board. To register the player must produce his valid passport to the Officer of the Day, the Chairman, Registrar, or Secretary of the Board. Failure to do so shall result in loss of game for club and one game suspension for player to be served with that club.
e. To be eligible to participate in the play-offs a 60 day sanction player must have played (either started or come on as a substitute) in at least two qualifying games for those play-offs. Penalty: Loss of game .
43. A sub committee shall oversee and verify all injured players insurance claims made to the Boards insurance carrier.
44. All delegates are to receive a list of all motions one week before Convention. A three man committee is to be appointed to review the motions and the rules affected before the convention.
45. Players on an intermediate or junior winning championship team, which is promoted and who were not drafted, who transfer to avoid promotion, or to remain in the division shall be ineligible for the draft that year.
46. Official programs shall be printed for all finals played.
47. A referees committee shall be established and meet on a monthly basis. It shall appoint referees for weekday games if necessary.
48. That any mid-week game that may potentially be postponed due to inclement weather on game day is postponed, if possible, two hours from kick-off by the officer of the night and the two clubs be contacted and informed thus.
49. A player who transfers to a club in Ireland and returns to New York as a 60 day sanction player in the same season may only play with the club from which he transferred. Deadlines outlined in Rule 41 (TO) apply.
50. A 60 day senior or junior football sanction player who has played four or more championship games in New York and who returns to Ireland, shall be allowed to play with their clubs in Ireland, and return to NY, as a week-end player, subject to rule 43 (TO) for the championship playoffs. Championship play-offs shall be quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. Elimination games are not covered under this rule.
51. At the conclusion of the year, prior to, or at, the Annual Convention, the appropriate officers, including but not limited to, the Treasurer, Secretary, Auditors, and Development Officer, shall present annual reports to the body.
52. The end of a meeting shall be considered as the deadline for close of Board or Division business which is designated to be completed by a particular day or date.
53. A Centenary Celebration Committee of the NY GAA Board shall be formed. The terms of reference to include, but not limited to;
Holding the annual GAA congress in New York in 2014; publishing a comprehensive history of the Minor and Senior Boards; developing and enacting a long term development plan for football and hurling; establishing Gaelic games as an element of the curricula of schools, holding international overseas division tournaments; capital investment; sponsorship; city, state and federal grant aid.The committee to draw on as many resources of the community as it considers necessary to celebrate the centenary.

FINANCIAL
1. The funds of the Association shall not be appropriated for any purpose otherthan the necessary expenses required for the running of the Association.
2. The affiliation fee is $100 per team except in the case of a new team affiliating in which case the fee is $1,000 per team.
3. Each Hurling club shall be allowed a $750 allowance per team towards the purchase of hurleys.
4. A financial report shall be read out once a month at a regular meeting of the Association.
5. The Treasurers report shall be read out quarterly at a regular meeting of the Association.
6. All Ireland tickets shall be paid for, by everyone, when tickets are given out or distributed.
7. Referee's shall be admitted free of charge to games on days on which theyare officiating.
8. Referees shall be compensated $30 per game for expenses.

OBJECTIONS

All objections must be lodged in triplicate with the Secretary within seven days of the game. The objection shall be decided at a regular or special meeting of the Executive Committee.

A counter objection must be lodged in triplicate within seven days of the final hearing of the objection. It shall be decided by the Executive Committee from whose decision there shall be no appeal. No other form of appeal shall be entertained.

All objections and counter objections must be lodged in triplicate form, one copy of which shall be given to the club against which the objection or counter objection is lodged and accompanied by a fee of $50 which shall be forfeited if the objection or counter objection is not upheld. All members of the Executive Committee and parties involved shall be notified by the Secretary when the objection or counter objection is being heard.

An objection or counter-objection must be based upon the violation of the rules or bye laws of the Association. It shall be compulsory upon the party lodging the objection(s) or counter objection(s) to quote in full the rule or rules alleged to have been violated.

If any part of an objection is out of order or incorrect the entire objection or counter objection is out of order.

An objection or counter objection shall be finalized not later than two weeks after the objection or counter objection is lodged.

The Executive Committee shall under no circumstances order a replay. The Executive Committee shall deduct or award the points according to the merits of the case plus all the facts as known to the officers of the Association.

The tendering of false or forged evidence shall entail suspension of the guilty party for not less than twelve months. The Executive Committee may at a special meeting review its decision in case of doubt, where evidence of falsification exists. Save as provided for in the rules no appeal shall be made to any County Board or Committee. In particular no appeal shall be made to any court of law or to any outside body. This applies to all matters

The basis for an objection(s) to a player(s) shall be the legality of that player(s) in the current or previous year's championship.

When the Executive Committee reaches a decision on an objection submitted by any club the club in question shall be informed in writing how and why they reached that decision.

PENALTIES

1. A player or club official who behaves in a disorderly fashion, calculated to bring the Association into disrepute, shall incur a minimum suspension of 8 weeks. Offense, if repeated: 48 weeks
2. When a player persists in refusing to leave the field after being ordered off by the referee, the referee after a lapse of three minutes shall terminate the game. Penalty to the team: loss of game, Penalty to the player: 24 weeks suspension.
3. A player who strikes another with his fist: first offense – minimum of one game, second offense – minimum of three games, third known offense – minimum of six games. A player who head butts or attempts to head butt another player: first offense- three games, second offense- six games, third known offense- ninety six weeks (Deviation from general rule requested.)
4. A player who deliberately kicks or strikes another player with a hurley: first offense – three games, second offense – six games, third known offense – 96 weeks. (Deviation from general rule requested.)
5. A player who strikes a referee, linesman, umpire or any other official, first offense – 48 weeks, second known offense – 96 weeks, third known offense – expulsion from the Association.
A player who pushes, shoves, or makes physical contact, including striking with a ball, a referee, linesman, umpire or any other official, first offense – 24 weeks, second known offense – 48 weeks, third known offense – expulsion from the Association.
A player reported by the referee for using abusive or threatening language or conduct towards a referee, umpire, linesman, sideline official, or opposing team official during or after the conclusion of a game shall be suspended for a minimum of two games.
There shall be no appeal of suspension imposed under this rule to the Executive Committee. A first time offender serving a one year suspension may personally ask for a clemency hearing after a period of six months has elapsed. This clemency request shall be acted upon by the General Body as it sees fit.
A player reported by the Referee as having committed offences under rule 3, rule 4, or rule 5 after the conclusion of the game, shall likewise stand suspended as outlined in rule 3, rule 4, or rule 5.
6. When a player, hurler or footballer is ordered off the field by the referee, he is automatically suspended, and remains so until his total period of suspension shall be decided by the Presiding Officer at the meeting at which the referee's report is read. A player who has been suspended must serve the suspension with a team of which he is a bonafide member before playing his next game in any competition. A bonafide member is one whose name has appeared on a team sheet during that season or the previous season.
7. A player who is sent off twice in the same season for two yellow card offenses be suspended for his next game up with the team he was sent off with. 8. The penalties for a club failing to fulfill a scheduled game shall be;
First offence - the game shall be awarded to its opponents and the club fined $500.
Second offence - disqualification from the competition for that year.
9. Players giving the wrong names to the referee shall incur the following penalties, first known offense – one game and one game added for each such offense thereafter. (Deviation from general Rule requested.)
10. Omitting the name of a player from the list given to the referee or failing to submit the name of a substitute – loss of game.
11. Penalty for playing an illegal player – loss of game. Penalty for player – suspension for the remainder of all of his teams playing season. (Deviation from general rule requested.)
12. A team arriving fifteen minutes late for a game: loss of game.
13. A team having more than five officials on the sideline during a game: loss of expenses.
14. No suspension shall exceed two years. Players repeating offenses which merit such suspensions shall be debarred from playing. In serious cases expulsion may be applied by County Committees and Higher Councils.

PLAYING SYSTEM

REGULATIONS
1. Each Division shall be required to submit its schedule before the first meeting in March each year.
2. When a league is adopted, the following regulations shall apply:
a. Each team shall play every other team in its section or league at least once except where the divisions' annual recommendations as approved rule otherwise.
b. Two points shall be allotted for a win, a point to each team in the event of a draw except where penalties are imposed.
c. The team having the most points at the conclusion of the league shall be the winner of the league or section.
3. When a team has played half its schedule and does not complete it, the results of the games played stand as finally recorded, and the un-played games are awarded to the scheduled opponents. If a team withdraws with less than half its schedule played the games played or un-played shall not count for or against it's opponent. (Deviation from general rule requested.)

SCHEDULES

REGULATIONS
1. Schedules shall be drawn up by the Games Administration Committee four weeks prior to the game when possible and not less than one week prior to the game.
2. A playing schedule cannot be objected to after one reading
3. Tie games shall be rescheduled at the discretion of the Games Administration Committee.
4. Any cancelled games shall be rescheduled for the first open date.
5. The Board of Officers shall have the right to review all divisional schedules
6. A team may object to being scheduled for the following reasons :
(a). If their County is playing in the All Ireland Senior final.
(b). If they have two or more players on a New York selected team
(c). If two teams from the same County are being scheduled.
7. When schedules are drawn up the games shall be numbered to avoid later argument or confusion.
8. All division schedules for the entire season be fixed at the beginning of the season, if possible.
9. Nobody shall have the power to call off games after the schedule is set except as provided for in Rule 3(i) under referees, linesmen and umpires.
10. When a game is scheduled for a particular venue it cannot be changed to another venue because of weather conditions.
11. A complete schedule which details each fixture, location and date will be available to all clubs prior to the start of the season.
12. The senior or intermediate or junior football finals shall not be played on the same day.
13. In the event of overtime being required it will be played as two ten minute halves.

TEAM OFFICIALS FOR NEW YORK SELECTED TEAM

1. The NY Senior Football selection committee shall consist of a manager and two selectors. The manager shall be appointed by a sub-committee of the board consisting of the first Vice-Chairman, the second Vice-Chairman, the Secretary, the Chairman of the Senior Football Division, the Chairman of the Intermediate Football division and the Chairman of the Junior Football Division. The committee, in conjunction with the manager, shall appoint three selectors, one from the Junior Football Division, one from the Intermediate Football division and one from the Senior Football Division. The trainer is to be selected by the manager and selectors. These appointments are to take place in January for a period of two years.
2. The captain of the New York Football team shall be elected by the New York Senior Football players panel.
3. The manager and selectors of the New York Hurling team shall be elected by the Senior Hurling division.
4. The other New York Football and Hurling team officials shall be elected by the Hurling and Football divisions as each division sees fit.
5. Any member of a division who desires to run for office within the division must be a delegate or proxy for at least six months prior to being nominated for that office.

TRANSFERS

Any player desirous of leaving one club to join another club must be transferred except where he has not taken part in the previous years Championship. Such a player and those who have not already competed in New York shall be considered the property of the first club they play for in a Championship game. (Deviation from General Rule requested.)

Transfers must be made on official forms of the New York Board. The player shall appear in person, at the scheduled meetings in February, to verify the request to transfer. Having presented proper identification the player must sign the transfer. A list of transfers shall be compiled and distributed to the clubs. (General Rule: A transfer become effective as soon as it is granted by the appropriate authority).

All disputed transfers shall be decided by the Executive Committee and the clubs involve will be notified when these transfers will be dealt with.

A club may not receive more than seven transfers in a given year. No more than three of these may come from one club.

A player or player may not transfer to a team of any club which has not competed in or completed its schedule obligations in the previous years' championship.

No inter-county transfers shall be accepted by the NY GAA Board after July 20 th for that year's championship.

REFEREES, LINESMEN AND UMPIRES

The Games Administration Committee appoints referees for all games except where there is an interested party in which case they should step down. Control of the matches shall be entrusted to the referee, umpires (4) and linesmen (2). All questions affecting play shall be decided by them. Referee's umpires and linesmen shall be properly attired for all semi finals and finals.

The referee's decision on questions of fact connected with the match shall be final. Players should particularly note that the ball is in play until the whistle sounds. Any stoppage in play on their part is at their own risk as any score made as a result of the whistle not sounding shall be perfectly valid.

The duties of the referee in addition to those set out under playing rules shall be.
a. Receive the list of players, sign them and give one copy to the opposing team captain. Report any failure to receive lists to the Officer of the day.
b. Throw in the ball at the commencement of play in each half and allow or disallow a score.
c. Indicate when and where frees are to be taken.
d. Consult with the umpires and linesmen when the need arises and in case any of them withdraws before the end of the match appoint a substitute.
e. Keep a record of the scores and forward a report of the match with the names of any players ordered off and why, players injured and replaced, substitutes coming on to play, the intrusion of unauthorized persons and the names of players or officials interfering during the course of the game. These latter may be penalized at the discretion of the governing body and the Executive Committee. Referees are expected to turn over their report of the game to the officer of the day on the Sunday of the game or at the next meeting for a midweek game.
f. When a referee is directed by the governing body or it's properly constituted committee's to submit further details or explanations of a game and refuses to do so, he shall be suspended from refereeing for a period of six months.
g. Referees cannot make the award of a game but must report the final score. The awarding of a game rests with the committee or council concerned acting on his report.
h. The referees decision on all questions of fact and in regard to time shall be final.
i. The referee shall have the power to declare the ground or other conditions unsuitable for play after consulting with the officials in charge of the fixtures.
j. The referee shall have the power to terminate the match for want of light, because of constant outside interference or any other reason he considers sufficient.
k. In cases of deliberate delay in pucking out the ball in hurling or in kicking out the ball in football, the referee shall have the power to extend the time in each half.
l. Should a team commit a foul before the full time whistle has sounded, the referee must allow time for the free to be taken. A score can result from such a free only when no player from the same team touches the ball other than the player taking the free.
m. The referee shall have the power to abandon a game if a player refuses to leave the field when ordered to do so by the referee.
n. Once having given a decision the referee after sounding the whistle shall not alter it.
o. There shall be two linemen appointed by the referee who shall be provided with flags. Their duty shall be to decide when and where the ball crosses the sideline and which team is entitled to the kick in or puck in. When a linesman cannot determine which team is entitled to the kick in or puck in the lineman shall throw in the ball himself. The linesman shall take one side of the ground just outside the field of play changing sides at half time. They shall hold up the flag when and where the ball is out of play pointing the flag in the direction of which the ball is to be kicked or pucked.
4. When a referee stops a game for any reason he shall restart it by throwing up the ball between two players in football or along the ground between two players in Hurling.
5. Referees to be compensated $50 per game for expenses.