MID CORK DIVISIONAL BOARD RULES 2023

Sections 1- 9 are Rules common to all Divisions

1. LEAGUE PLAYING RULES 

The League shall be subject to the general rules of the LGFA Official Guide 2022 as amended and updated and general rules set down by the Cork County LGFA.  Any breach of the rules will be referred to CODA.

Leagues

The Mid Cork Board will organise the following leagues where there are adequate team numbers:

U8 and U10 – Games in Under 10 and younger shall be organised on the Go Games Model.  Go Games are modified where results are not formally recorded, and where all participants get to play during the course of the game. Teams at Under 8 shall be a maximum of 9-A-Side. Teams of Under 10 shall be a maximum of 11-A-Side. 

U12 League and U12 Summer League.  At Under 12 level, competitions are organised on a league format, with no championships, on the basis that participating teams should be a maximum of 13-A-Side.  Games should be organised over four quarters, and provision shall be made for all members of the team panel to participate in a minimum of one quarter.  A breach will be referred to CODA for sanction. Silent side-line rules apply.

U13 Summer League -silent sideline rules apply

U14, U16 and U18 Leagues

Junior Leagues.

For competitive leagues there will be 3 groupings within each age group.  Division 1 and Division 2 will have 6 teams and remaining teams go into Division 3.  This will facilitate the County Championship placings.

• Silent Side-line Rules

The aim of these rules is to improve the fun and learning experience for all of the players from U6 to U12.

No coaching from anyone on the side-lines or anywhere in the environs of where the game is being played – this includes all team mentors, parents and supporters.  It extends to every decision to be made by any player on the field, such as whether to run back or forward, whether to kick or handpass, long or short etc. 

One designated coach may give individual instructions when play is stopped.

No encroachment onto the field of play by anyone other than players and referee (except in the case of an injury to a player)

Parents/Supporters may applaud positive play, congratulate girls on their performance/skills and encourage them

Absolutely NO shouting or directing at the players or officials from the side-lines;

Coaches to speak to players at halftime and when making changes ONLY;

Clapping & cheering allowed for scores and effort from both sides;

No directing or coaching advice from adults at any time;           

No questioning of the official in charge of game

• Substitutions

County Rules 24 & 25 apply

All league games at underage and adult level will be unlimited substitutions, including semi-finals and finals.

For County Adult Championship games only 5 substitutes will be allowed for semi-finals and finals. 

For County Underage Championship unlimited substitutes will be allowed for quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

• Teams

Teams shall be 15-a-side in all league games from U13 upwards.

Each team must have at least 11 players to commence a match, but a match may be continued or finished with less than 11 players.  The full complement of players may be added during the course of the game, upon notifying the referee. (Rule 330 of Official Guide 2022)

Team sheets, in duplicate, must be given to the referee for all official games.

• Players

For U6, U8 and U10 grades the players can only in their own age group and one grade above it. 

At Club level, underage players can only play in their own age group and two grades above it with grades deemed as U12, U14, U16 and U18.

• 2^nd Teams

Clubs with second teams in the league must nominate their best active 15 players including one recognised goal keeper.  These named 15 players will only be permitted to play with their first team.  Players not expected to play in the 2023 season should not be named in a clubs first 15.  Players of a lower age group who are considered better than an older girl must be named in the best active 15 players.  (It is the responsibility of the club to provide this information before their first fixture, failure to do so will lead to expulsion from the competition).

The executive of the Mid Cork Board shall have the right to automatically remove both teams from a league if it is determined that a team has breached the first 15 rule above.

No club second (‘B’) teams are permitted at underage level in any County League or Championship.

2. FIXTURES

All fixture dates are posted on the Mid Cork Website and issued by email to the Clubs prior to the commencement of each league.  First team named has home advantage.  The dates posted mean that the fixture must be played on or before that date.  These dates are the Default Dates. 

There will be NO extensions granted for any fixtures outside of the Cut-off Dates for that league, unless otherwise agreed by the Divisional Board.

There should be no verbal communication to any member of the Board in relation to fixtures.  All communication must be emailed to the Fixtures Secretary – midcorkfixturesec2018@gmail.com.

Fixtures must be played in the order drawn unless otherwise agreed by the Mid Cork Board.

Games should be played on or before the default dates. Exceptions only in the event of both teams agreeing an alternative date (acceptable to the Board), providing this date does not interfere with another fixture.  The Fixture Secretary must be informed of the proposed cancellation at least 2 days in advance, by email, by both clubs, of the new date and if accepted by the Fixtures Committee both clubs will be informed by email. If agreed and accepted that becomes the new Default Date.

In the event of two teams being unable to agree a date for their fixture the Default Date will be imposed unless the Board appoints an alternative date.

In the event an agreement cannot be agreed for a fixture the Board may give 5 days  notice of a new fixture.  Clubs shall abide by the new fixture date.  Rule 302 of Official Guide 2022.

In the event of both teams being unable to agree a throw in time, the Board will impose a default time of 3pm for weekend fixtures and 7pm for midweek fixtures.  Where light or referee availability may become an issue this time may be adjusted by the Board or Fixtures Secretary.

All games should be  played on or before the default date.  Holidays, injuries, sickness, involvement in other sports, etc. are not reasons for a game not to be played on time.  Only exception is if a game has been fixed by both teams and for some unforeseen circumstance has to be cancelled last minute (e.g. due to a bereavement of an immediate family member of a player, coach or club executive member or due to weather conditions or pitch closure).  If this happens the Board should be informed immediately.  Within 3 days of the original fixture both clubs should email the Board with details of the agreed date and time for the rescheduled game, ensuring that the agreed date falls within the cut-off date for league fixtures and has no impact on the other teams in the group getting their games played on time. If agreed by the Board this date then becomes the New Default Date and cannot be changed, unless due to further unforeseen circumstances and again only by approval of the Board.

If home side cannot provide a pitch in good time, they must concede home advantage. Contact must be made with the Fixture Secretary if there is a change of Venue. 

• Results

Results of games must be sent by text by the trainers of both teams to the Fixture Secretary following each game on086-8126616.  (Exception for Go Games where text should state that the fixture has been played). Results must be sent on the day of the fixture.  The text must include the age group of the game and the score for both teams. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a fine sanction being imposed, per game, at the end of each league.

• Walkovers

Walkovers can only be awarded by the Mid Cork Board Executive Committee. Failure to play the fixture may result in a walkover not being awarded to either team and the fixture declared void.

Where a team cannot field on the given fixture date and time and where the opposition are unable or unwilling to facilitate a change, the North Cork Board Fixtures Committee shall have the power to deem the result a walkover.

Any team failing to fulfil more than one fixture will be expelled from the competition (i.e. failing to play 2 fixtures). A team awarded a walkover will be deemed to have fulfilled that fixture. 

Walkovers may not be taken into account for regrading purposes.

Clubs giving walkovers will be levied a fine of €25 for each walkover. 

Teams who enter a competition and fail to fulfil their fixtures or withdraw from the competition after the fixtures have been drawn will be subject to a fine of €50.

• Referees

The Mid Cork Board will appoint the referee for all play-off matches, semi finals and finals only.

It is the responsibility of the home side to organise a neutral referee and advise name of referee to their opponents at minimum of 2 days in advance of the fixture. 

Clubs may only use the same neutral referee twice in any league unless pre-approved by the Board.  All clubs who organise a referee should send a reminder text to the referee 24 hours in advance of the game to confirm the fixture.  (This should eliminate any no shows from referees).  All Coaches/Trainers should adapt this procedure.  If a referee cancels at the last minute he should be asked to put it on the referee WhatsApp group and organise a replacement referee.  In the unlikely event of a no show from the referee the club will retain home advantage for the re-fixture.

In the event of the fixture being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances it is the responsibility of the Coaches/Trainers to ensure that the referee is notified of the cancellation.  If the referee is not advised of the cancellation it is the responsibility of the home club to pay the referee.

All Referees for U13 to Junior games must be drawn from the Approved LGFA Published Referee List.  Referees for Go Games (U6 to U12) may be drawn from the Approved LGFA Published “Grab Your Whistle” Referee List. 

Your appointed referee must return a completed match report to the Mid Cork Board Secretary within 48 hrs of the match – midcorksec@gmail.com .  Referees who consistently fail to return completed reports will be restricted from refereeing in the Division.  In the case of any serious incidents the match report must be submitted by email within 24hrs to both the County Secretary and the Mid Cork Board Secretary.  In this circumstance the match report should be emailed in advance of posting.  No match reports will be accepted by text. 

It is each clubs responsibility to ensure that the referee is paid at each match.  Both clubs pay 50% of the Referee Fee. 

Both clubs must provide an Umpire for league games and semi-finals and two umpires for finals, unless otherwise indicated by the Board or referee.
 

3. FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS

POINTS AWARDED –  3 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. 

Should a team withdraw or be disqualified during the course of the league, the results of games played shall stand.  Points from its remaining un-played fixtures shall be awarded to its nominated opponents in those matches.  Rule 314 of the Official Guide 2022.

In the event of two teams finishing level on league points their head to head record will be taken into account. The winner of the head to head match will be ranked higher. 

If more than two teams finish on the same points then a playoff may be necessary, dependant on placing in league.

4. DIVISIONAL FINALS

Same rules apply regarding fixture default dates as detailed above.

There will be no conceding of finals.  Clubs conceding their final will be levied a fine of €50 for each final conceded.   

All finals will be unlimited substitutions.

SEMI-FINALS- Semi Finals will be played within group, as follows, based on League points. 1^st plays 4^th and 2^nd plays 3^rd.  Winning teams proceed to the Final.

5. COUNTY QUALIFICATION

There are no County Qualifications for club second (B) teams at underage level.  

In the event of a team being disqualified from their Division for any reason or withdrawing from County a bye shall be entered in their place for County Qualification.  The current (2023) County Qualifications are as follows:

Division 1     

Top 2 teams go to A County Championship – Divisional Finalists

Second 2 teams go to B County Championship – Losing semi-finalists

Last 2 teams go to A2 County Championship – 5^th & 6^th placement in league

Division 2

Top 2 teams go to C County Championship – Divisional Finalists

Second 2 teams go to D County Championship – Losing semi-finalists

Last 2 teams go to B2 County Championship – 5^th & 6^th placement in league

Division 3

Top 2 teams go to C2 County Championship – Divisional Finalists

Second 2 teams go to D2 County Championship – Losing semi-finalists

Last 2 teams go to D3 County Championship – 5^th & 6^th placement in league

SEMI-FINALS- Semi Finals will be played within each of the above divisions as follows based on League points. 1^st plays 4^th and 2^nd plays 3^rd.  Winning teams play a Final.

6. GRADINGS, PROMOTIONS AND RELEGATIONS 

All clubs in the Division will be emailed by the Mid Cork Board Secretary and asked to submit the number of teams they will be entering in each competition for the coming season.

The Fixtures Committee, will grade each team and these gradings/groupings will be sent to all clubs in advance of commencement of each League.

• Gradings

In general, gradings will be based on previous results, however the following factors may also be used for gradings - player numbers, transfers in and out, permissions to play inwards, number of teams entered, ability of a team to compete at a grade and any other factors or submissions it deems pertinent.  Walkovers will not be taken into consideration for gradings.

It is the obligation of each club to declare any transfers in or out of its club or permissions to play received for the coming season prior to the gradings procedure commencing each year.

There will be no gradings in the U6, U8 and U10 age groups as they only play non-competitive Go Games

U12 – Groupings are based on various factors to include geographical location, club size and player age profile, i.e. number of 12 year olds, number of 11 year olds and number of 10 & 9 year olds.

U14, U16, U18 and Junior - Gradings are based on factors including results from 2 years previous.

On receipt of gradings Clubs will be afforded the right to a review. A request for Review must be received by the Mid Cork Board Secretary within 3 days of the original grading being issued.  The review request must contain comprehensive reasons and be signed by the Club Secretary.  Once the committee has ruled on the review (within 7 days) the Secretary will notify the Club.

• 
  
• Promotions

Junior - Any team that wins a league must play at the next highest group 1 year later.

Underage - Any team that wins a league will be promoted to next highest group 2 years later. – e.g. Winner of U14 Division 2 will be promoted to U16 Division 1.

• Relegations

Junior - Any team who finishes bottom of its league will be relegated to the next lower group 1 year later.  Teams may request not to be relegated if they so choose.

• Underage - Any team who finishes bottom of its league will be relegated to the next lower group 2 years later – e.g. Team at bottom of U14 Division 2 will be relegated to U16 Division 3.  Teams may request not to be relegated if they so choose.

7. CUPS, SHIELDS, MEDALS & CERTIFICATES 

The Mid Cork Board will award a trophy to the league winners in all competitions.  Each winning club is responsible for getting the engraving done at their own expense.

Medals are awarded to the winners of each final.

All Shields and cups (engraved with winners name & year) must be returned to a nominated fixtures committee member by 1^st April.  It is the responsibility of each Club Secretary to ensure that this happens.  The amount of time spent by the Committee on following up and getting these trophies back each year is totally unacceptable.   Failure to return a Shield or Cup by the 1^st April will result in the club being issued with an invoice for its replacement cost.

8. ANNUAL FEES & FINES & REGISTRATIONS

Annual LGFA fees – Croke Park Levy, GAA Public Liability Levy, County Board Levy,  County Team Affiliation Fees, North Cork Affiliation Fees and Registration of all Club members.  2023 Member Registrations must be paid by 1^st April 2023 and are valid until 31^st March 2024.

All Clubs shall keep true and accurate accounts and records showing their financial affairs.  All financial account documentation shall be retained for a period of at least 5 years. 

The Financial Year ends on 31^st October each year.  A balance sheet, supported by bank statements, must be forwarded to the County Board each year.

The Mid Cork Board Treasurer is responsible for ensuring all fees and fines in relation to the Mid Cork Board are received from all clubs on time.  Updates should be given at Board Executive Meetings.

• Mid Cork Board Affiliation Fees

Annual Affiliation Fees are due from each club to the Mid Cork Board.  These fees are separate from the County Board Affiliation Fees.  The fees are made up of:  

Fees to be confirmed by Board Treasurer

Affiliation fees must be paid each year by 1^st April.  A Club cannot take part in any official competition until the required affiliation fees for the year have been paid.

Outstanding fines must also be paid each year by 1^st April in order to be eligible to participate in any Mid Cork Competitions.

• Fines and Sanctions

Where a fine is issued for whatever reason it must be paid to the Mid Cork Board Treasurer within 13 weeks.  Official Guide Rule No. 42. “Payment of monetary sanctions shall be made within 13 weeks of notification thereof.  Failure to pay the fine may result in suspension from Association activities”.

Walkovers                                               €25 per first walkover and €50 thereafter

Withdrawing from competition          €75 per competition

Conceding of Final                                 €50 per final

Failure to return a shield or Cup          €replacement cost to a minimum of €60

Failure to text in results                        €5 per game

9. CLUB COMPLIANCE 

It is the Responsibility of each Club to ensure their club is compliant with the necessary regulations in relation to Child Welfare and Protection.

Risk Assessment and Safety Statement must be up to date

All Team Officials, Trainers, Coaches, Selectors, Committee Members and Volunteers must have completed their Safeguarding course and refresher course as required.

All Team Officials, Trainers, Coaches, Selectors, Committee Members and Volunteers must be garda vetted.

All Coaches/Trainers must have completed Fundamentals training at a minimum. 

The Child Welfare Officer must have completed their Safeguarding 2 course.

All Players, Team Officials, Trainers, Coaches, Selectors and Committee Members must be Registered.  Registrations are only valid when processed and completed by the LFGA Registration System. 

All Divisional Committee Members must also be registered. 

RULES SPECIFIC TO MID CORK COMPETITIONS

1. Clubs entering second teams in the Under 16 competition will not be permitted to play any girls named in the First Fifteen for the first team playing in the Under 14 League Competition
2. Clubs entering second teams in the Under 14 competition will not be permitted to play any girls named in the first 15 to participate in the Under 13 League Competition or any girls named in the first 13 to participate in the Under 12 League Competition. This also applies on a similar basis to the Under 13 League where clubs entering second teams in that league will not be permitted to play any girls named to play in the first 13 to participate in the Under 12 League
3. For the Under 12 Second Team Competition, In the C1 league, girls will only be eligible to play if born in 2011. No younger girls are permitted to play in that Section. Clubs entering teams in the C3 League will have to name their best active 13 girls for participation with their first team, and their next best active 13 girls born in 2011 for their C1 League team. All other girls eligible to play at the Under 12 Age Grade are then eligible to play in the C3 League
4. Any girl who plays more than 2 matches (i.e. plays in 3 matches) for a club’s A team will thereafter be ineligible to continue playing with the club’s B team at the same age grade.
5. The same Rule in relation to first 15s, applies also to clubs with C teams, who must name their next best 15 active players for their B team, who then become ineligible to participate with the C team. All lists of first 15 for A teams and for B teams must be submitted to the Board at least 7 days before the first scheduled fixture for the club in that age competition.
6. That rule is amended to read first 13, for all teams at Under 12 Grade.
7. The Cut Off Date referred to at Section 2 is the default date of the last fixture in the competition as issued to the clubs at the commencement of the competition.
8. The Mid Cork Board has the authority to extend the Cut Off Date subsequently
9. For all Grades from Under 12 upwards, matches for clubs with “B” teams will have a default date and time of 3.00pm on the Saturday before the “A” team is scheduled to play unless the Board provides otherwise.
10. Section 2 – If neither team are able to provide a venue for a game on the default date, both teams must agree an alternative date, providing that this date does not interfere with any other scheduled fixtures and is subject to the consent of the Fixtures Secretary, who should be informed of the pitch availability issue without delay. If, within 2 days of the original fixture date, both teams cannot agree a new date agreeable to the Board, the Fixtures Secretary will set a new Default Date, and time.
11. Section 2 (a) In addition to both clubs submitting the result to the Fixtures Secretary, the home team must also input the result to the website using the code that will issue on the original default date for the fixture. Any difficulty with codes not issuing should be notified to the Board. The result must be submitted within 24 hours of the match being played.
12. Section 2 (b) For the Mid Cork Divisions fine for Clubs giving walkovers will be levied a fine of €25 for the first walkover and €50 for any subsequent walkover in the same competition. Teams who enter a competition and fail to fulfil their fixtures or withdraw from the competition after the fixtures have been drawn will be subject to a fine of €75.
13. Section 3 – In the event that the head to head result was a draw, the Board will draw lots for semi final placings unless the teams are placed in 4^th and 5^th place, when a play-off will instead be necessary
14. Section 6 – in addition to the rules in relation to promotion and relegation, the Mid Cork Board Executive have the authority at their discretion to promote or relegate teams, or not to promote or relegate teams as they see fit for the integrity of the competition and the teams involved. In particular, the Board will be reviewing the results of the team that finished runner up in the competition to view their strength relative to the other grades.
15. In the event that 2 teams for relegation finish tied, then the record of the head to head fixture will be taken into consideration in deciding which team finished higher. In the event that 3 teams finish level in such a position, with no clear loser when the head to head results are taken into consideration, then the Mid Cork Board Executive have the authority to decide which team/teams is/are relegated
16. For all play-off matches, and semi finals, the team ranked higher will have home venue. In the event that teams rank equally, the Chairperson of the Mid Cork Board will draw lots to decide venue. This will also apply to all Summer and Autumn League Finals. For League Finals, the Board will endeavour to obtain suitable neutral venues, but the same rule will apply if it is unable to do so.
17. The Board will discharge the Referee’s Fee in Finals where an Admission Fee is charged for entry for spectators. In all other matches, it will be for the clubs to discharge the fee. The Board may offer a contribution towards the cost of lighting or pitch hire in similar circumstances
18. A Breach of the Silent Sideline Rule is subject to a fine of €50 per incident, as reported in a Referee’s Report or by a neutral Mid Cork Board Executive Member or a member of the Executive of the Cork County Board
19. The U10 and U11 leagues will be go games format, 11 a side as per LGFA guidelines as follows:
    1. Play commences with throw in at centre.
    2. Goalkeeper may advance 10m for all kick outs.
    3. 2 touch rule (2 solos or 1 hop 1 solo).
    4. No 45’s.
    5. 3 points over the bar 1 point for under the bar.
    6. Player who is fouled takes the free from her hands nearest player takes side line kicks.
    7. 11 x 11 max, can be reduced to facilitate numbers. For larger numbers  2 matches to be played simultaneously
    8. Pitch size 90 x 40-50m.
    9. Equal playing time for all.
    10. 50mins per game (2 x 25min or 4 x 12.5 min)
    11. Goalposts 8ft x 6ft or training poles optional.
    12. No scores to be recorded.
    13. Size 3 football for all games
20.  Rule 19 above applies equally to Under 8s with the exception of 9 players per team
21.   All Second team competitions from U13 upwards are 15 a side. If a second team has only 13 or 14 players on the day, then the opposition must match that number. Both teams must be equalised for injuries during the game. Teams are only equalised down to 13 players, if a team goes below 13 players the opposition can maintain their 13 players on the field. For Under 12 competitions, the same rule applies with teams equalising as far as 11 aside.
22. The same conditions apply in the C Grade of all ages competitions. It is hoped that clubs in the A and B grades will honour the spirit of this rule should the event occur.
23. In Leagues where clubs have more than 1 team entered in competitions, the opposing team must obtain the team sheet and submit it the Board’s Secretary by email within 24 hours of the match. This applies to matches involving both First and Second Teams.
24. Clubs must ensure that the teamsheets furnished to the opposition are legible, with all players listed as per their official registration and in accordance with the number jersey worn by them for the fixture, to include all starting players and all substitutes
25. Summer Leagues – postponements will only be granted in extenuating circumstances, and will require games to be replayed within 4 days of the original fixture date. Clubs must equalize numbers down as far as 13 a side if a team does not have 15 players. If teams cannot field 13 players, then clubs are expected but not required to equalize numbers further.
26.  The Mid Cork Bord Executive have the automatic right to remove any team to be found to be in breach of any of these Specific Mid Cork Division Rules, which can extend to any other teams affected by the breach, for example if an Under 12A player played with the U14B team contrary to Rule 2, then both teams can be removed. The matter can also be referred to CODA for further or alternative sanctions.

I acknowledge that I have read these Rules and confirm that I will abide by them.

Signed:

Chairperson                          ________________

Secretary                               ________________

Treasurer                              ________________

Under 18 Team Mentors    ________________

                                                ________________

                                                ________________

Under 16 Team Mentors    ________________

                                                ________________

                                                ________________

Under 14 Team Mentors    ________________

                                                ________________

                                                ________________

Under 13 Team Mentors    ________________

                                                ________________

                                                ________________

Under 12 Team Mentors    ________________

                                                ________________

                                                ________________