Radical League overhaul approved

The National Football League is to undergo another overhaul, starting this autumn. Saturday's meeting of the GAA's Central Council has approved the proposals of the Football Development Committee for a restructured league.

This will encompass a two-section, 16-county Division One, comprised of the top two divisions of the old league, which were determined at the end of last season - with the top flight re-designated Division One A and the second division as Division One B.

Division Two will consist of the remaining 17 counties, allocated to Two A and Two B according to a distribution which will take into account geographical considerations without creating a ghetto as has happened in the past to Munster counties in the old Division Three South.

These proposals are part of a long-term plan to separate the NFL titles on offer into distinct prizes for the overall, Division One winners and another for Division Two counties. In the interim, the NFL title will be contested as of old with all counties in with a theoretical shout.

The top three teams in each of the first divisions plus the winners of each of the Division Two sections will advance to NFL quarterfinals. But for four years, from the 1999-2000 season, the top two teams in each of the first division sections will contest semi-finals with the equivalent teams in the second division comprising a last four for the Division Two title.

It is also envisaged that the greater proportion of NFL matches will be played within the calendar year. At present over half the divisional matches are played before the seasonal break at Christmas.

Rule changes for next season's leagues were also approved. In football, outfield players will no longer be able to use the open hand to pass the ball. Fisted passes will be the only acceptable form of handpass. Goalkeepers won't be allowed handpass at all.

In general, the long-awaited system of red and yellow cards has been adopted for on-field discipline. Yellow cards will be shown for bookable offences and two such cautions will result in dismissal as at present.

Red cards will be used for offences punishable by immediate sending-off.

Other matters approved included the Management Committee's decree that teams must be named from one to 15. This is a reaction to Clare's recent decision to retire temporarily the number three jersey usually worn by Brian Lohan who was suspended for last week's All-Ireland hurling semi-final.

Kerry's deal with adidas received the go-ahead for the rest of the season and there was clarification that the allegations made by Clare manager Ger Loughnane against the Munster Council will be considered by the GAA's Games Administration Committee and not by Management.