OFFALY LGFA COMPETITION GUIDELINES 2024

1a. Fixture Changes

Official notification by clubs of any fixture change must be made by email to the co-ordinator for the age group or competition.

1b. Changing the date of a fixture

• Appointed dates may only be moved once with mutual agreement between both clubs.
• Both clubs must email the co-ordinator stating why the fixture is being changed and which team cannot fulfil the original date.
• All changes require at least 14 days’ notice prior to the original fixture date, except in the case of a death or an unplayable pitch.
• Failure to give adequate notice may be subject to sanctions as decided by the CODA officer.

1c. Failure to Fulfil Fixture

• Any team that fails to fulfil an appointed fixture shall forfeit the match.
• Sanctions may apply as decided by the CODA officer.
• The points for the match will be awarded to the opposing team.
• Failure to fulfil a fixture in group/round robin stages automatically eliminates that team from knockout stages.

1d. Failure to Fulfil Multiple Fixtures

• If a team is excluded/withdraws, results of played games shall stand.
• Points from remaining unplayed fixtures are awarded to nominated opponents.
• Scores from played games cannot be used where placings depend on points difference or total points scored.

1e. Postponing Matches Appointed

• Fixtures can only be cancelled at short notice in the case of a death or an unplayable pitch.
• Notification must be made by email to the co-ordinator.
• Death is defined as close family member of a player, mentor, or club official, or serious tragedy in the parish.
• Close family: Parent, Grandparent, child, sibling. Cousins only in tragic circumstances.
• Name of deceased and connection to fixture must be included in the email.
• Unplayable pitch must be confirmed by an approved referee in advance of throw-in.
• Game to be offered to opponent if pitch is playable; club secretary to email co-ordinator.
• If no pitch is available at either club, Bretland Park is an option.

1f. Player Availability

Unavailability of any player or manager due to sickness, holidays, work commitments, etc. is not an acceptable reason for seeking postponement.

Pitch not available: home club must endeavour to find an alternative pitch or lose home advantage and reverse the fixture. Co-ordinator must be informed by email.

1g. Exceptional Circumstances

In exceptional circumstances the Competitions Committee may re-fix a match at the request of a club, provided it does not impact the orderly running of the competition. Requests must be emailed as soon as possible. The Committee will deem if circumstances are exceptional.

1h. Clubs with Senior and Intermediate teams

Where a club has a Senior and Intermediate team, the Senior fixture will be played 24 hours ahead of the Intermediate fixture if it is not possible to play them on the same day (as per fixtures).

2a. Appointments

• The referee co-ordinator shall appoint match officials for each game where possible.
• The home club must pay the referee.
• Recommended: linespersons and umpires are the responsibility of both clubs for all matches except knockout games.

2b. Requirements

All referees must have completed the relevant refereeing courses before they can referee an appointed fixture.

2c. Behaviour and Conduct

Clubs are responsible for ensuring referees, officials, and the opposition are always treated with respect. Non-compliance may be subject to sanctions as decided by the CODA officer.

2d. Team Sheets and Player Numbering

• Clubs must use the Foireann Template (3 copies).
• All player numbers must be listed on all 3 copies.
• Jersey numbers must correspond with team sheets.
• If a jersey is missing, cross off original number and insert replacement number.
• For appointed/challenge games, each team presents a filled Foireann sheet (full names) to the referee before the game and it must be signed by the referee.
• Foireann sheets are swapped between the teams.

• Where referee is appointed by the OCC, it is the responsibility of the OCC to get the result.
• Home club must send result with full scoreline within 24 hours to the coordinator. Failure may be subject to sanctions by the CODA officer.

4a. Scoring and Results

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points
• If an appointed fixture is forfeited: 3 points go to the opposing team.

4b. Determining placings (in this order)

1. Total points
2. Points difference (points only — goals not included)
3. Total points scored (points only — goals not included)
4. If still tied: total scoring difference including goals

5a. Adult League

Winner of each division is promoted as League champions, bottom placed team relegated. CCC may move more than one team, or none, in exceptional circumstances.

5b. Entering 2 Teams at the Same Age Group

If a club enters 2 teams at the same age group, names must be supplied to OCC for ratification by email at least 14 days before competition starts:

• Team 1: 15 players
• Team 2: 10 players
• Named players can only play in one league division; all other players may play on either team.

5c. Adult Championship Promotion/Relegation

• Junior champions promoted to Intermediate for minimum 2 years.
• Intermediate champions promoted to Senior for minimum 2 years.
• Bottom team relegated unless promoted the previous year; then second-from-bottom is relegated.

5d / 5e Monitoring & Fairness

• Senior club with two teams: submit first 15 for A team to CCC 14 days before first championship game.
• Intermediate club with two teams: submit first 10 for A team to CCC 14 days before first championship game.
• OCC will monitor all rounds; misuse of rules will be sent to CODA.

6a. Numbers for Adult Teams

Max 30 players (15-a-side) and 7 officials allowed into dressing room and playing enclosure (rule 378). Proposed permission sought for underage teams to allow more than 30 players.

6b. Side-line

• Only manager may move along side-line.
• Runner / Female liaison officer / medic may enter field during a break in play only, then return to designated area.
• All other officials remain back for duration of game.
• Max 3 substitutes warming up at once; must wear bibs.
• Max 4 water carriers (must be 16+). Stay inline with 21m line and only enter when invited by referee.

6c. Number of Players

• Minimum 11 players to commence a match.
• Match may continue/finish with less than 11 players.
• If a team starts with less than 15, opposition must match the number (not below 11). The team with less than 15 has no substitutes.

6d. Substitutions

• Underage: unlimited substitutions (to be ratified at county board meeting).
• Adult: unlimited substitutions up to knockout stages (to be ratified at county board meeting).

6e / 6f Team Lists

• Duplicate lists with full names must be given to referee before commencement; jersey number must match player name.
• Starting 15 must be clearly indicated (tick). For 13-a-side or under, starting team must be indicated by number.
• Clubs must supply starting 15 and substitutes (where required) at least 4 days in advance for publication; failure may result in disciplinary action.

6g. “AN Other”

“AN Other” is not a playing member and must not be included in the team or panel list.

6h. Knockout Games

• Underage: drawn after extra time → replay (no free kicks).
• Adult: follow LGFA guidelines; after extra time → 25m free kicks.
• All drawn finals (underage & adult): replay in the first instance.

6i. Default Time for Adult Competitions

7:00pm

The CCC will supply neutral venues where possible (Bretland Park if available) for all knockout games.