•1.       Rules and Regulations 2012: The following were the proposed Rules Governing Championships and Leagues were ratified by County Committee Meeting on 16/01/12:

•1)      Team which wins the IFC; JFC and JFC "B" must play in the higher grade of respective Championship the following year, exception being where the club has a team competing in the higher grade or at the discretion of the C.C.C.

•2)      Relegation will take place in SFC and IFC, exception being where the club has a team competing in the lower grade. This will be at the discretion of the CCC pending affiliations. The relegation process will proceed regardless of whether Clubs have teams in the lower grade.

•3)      For 2012 only and in order to restructure the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Hurling Championships and Leagues into 4 new Divisions (i.e. Senior, Senior "B", Intermediate and Junior), the following shall apply -

•·         Senior shall consist of 8 teams that qualify for SHC Quarter Finals 2012;

•·         Senior "B" shall consist of 2 teams relegated from SHC 2012, 4 teams that qualify for semi finals of IHC 2012 and 2 teams that win playoff from losing IHC quarter finalists;

•·         Intermediate shall consist of 6 teams remaining in IHC and 2 JHC finalists;

•·         Junior will consist of remaining 8 teams in JHC, relegation will apply to have consistency of 8 teams and will apply in 2012, with the JHC "B" Winner being promoted to this grade.

•4)      Area teams relegated in Senior Championships will not be allowed participate in that grade the following year.

•5)      League format - where full division is played, top four teams qualify for semi finals (1^st Team v 4^th. Team and 2^nd. Team v 3^rd. Team); where division is divided into two groups, top two teams in each group qualify for semi finals (1^st. Team Group A v 2^nd. Team Group B and 2^nd. Team Group A v 1^st. Team Group B), exception being ACHL Div. 1 (outlined below) and Minor Leagues, whereby only Top Team in each Group qualifies for Final. In Football Leagues, the two finalists are promoted and two bottom teams relegated, Exception being where the club has a team competing in the higher or lower grade and at the discretion of C.C.C.  In the event of a Club having a team competing in the higher or lower grade (after relegation has been taken into account), in Football then only one team would be promoted or relegated. For 2012 in ACHL Div. 1, teams finishing position will determine their Championship pairings (i.e. top team in each Group contest League Final and qualify for Championship Quarter Final; Group A 2^nd. V Group B 5^TH./ Group A 3^rd. v Group B 4^TH. / Group B 3^rd. v Group A 4^th / Group B 2^nd. V Group A 5^th. In Championship Round 1, in remaining Hurling Leagues, there will be no promotion or relegation as Championship will determine your Championship and League status for 2013.

•6)      All Minor Football and Hurling Leagues and Division 5 Leagues in Football and Hurling will be 13-a-side with unlimited substitutions.

•7)      In the event of teams finishing on equal points in the League or League stages of Championship, the tie shall be decided as per Rule 6.22 (5) and 6.37, Official Guide 2011. This shall not apply to Under 16 or younger age grade competitions whereby a play off will be used to decide.

•8)      League semi-finals and final, in the event of a draw, extra time to be played.

•9)      Junior Football & Hurling Championship to be played on home or away basis (first team out at home) up until and including Round 3 stage of Football Championship and Round 5 stage of Hurling Championship. In the event of the Home Venue being deemed unsuitable by the Committee in Charge, the Home Club may be allowed by the Committee in Charge to nominate an alternative venue. Home team responsible for payment of Referee and/or Officials.

•10)   "B" and "C" Competitions to be played on home or away basis (first team out at home) up until and including quarter final stage of competition or championship. In the event of the Home Venue being deemed unsuitable by the Committee in Charge, the Home Club may be allowed by the Committee in Charge to nominate an alternative venue. Home team responsible for payment of Referee and/or Officials.

•11)   "B" and "C" competitions in the event of a draw, extra time to be played, up until and including semi final stage of competition.

•12)   Under 14, Under 16, Minor and Under 21 Championships, Football and Hurling, in the event of a draw, extra time to be played, Exception being the final.

•13)   Minor and Under 21 "B" Competitions, Football and Hurling, will be 13-a-side with unlimited substitutions and in the event of a draw, extra time to be played.

•14)   Minor and Under 21 "B" Competitions, Football and Hurling, to be played on home or away basis (first team out at home) up until and including semi final stage of competition or at the discretion of the CCC. In the event of the Home Venue being deemed unsuitable by the Committee in Charge, the Home Club may be allowed by the Committee in Charge to nominate an alternative venue. Home team responsible for payment of Referee and/or Officials.

•15)   Under 14 and 16 Championships and "B" and "C"Competitions, Football and Hurling, to be played on home or away basis (first team out at home) up until and including quarter final stage of competition or at the discretion of the CCC. In the event of the Home Venue being deemed unsuitable by the Committee in Charge, the Home Club may be allowed by the Committee in Charge to nominate an alternative venue. Home team responsible for payment of Referee and/or Officials.

•16)   Team competing in Under 21 or Minor championship as part of an area team is discouraged from competing in respective "B" competition. Entry to Under 21 and Minor "B" competitions confined to weaker or rural Clubs and at discretion of C.C.C., who may in exceptional circumstances allow amalgamations in respective "B" competitions.

•17)   CCC reserve the right to fix any Championship or Competition games under Floodlights.

•18)   All County Football & Hurling Leagues to be played and concluded without County players if they are in training or playing with the County. CCC in agreement with County Managers to designate a number of rounds in respective Leagues whereby County players will be available to Club. Clubs who play their County players in these competitions, including Leinster Hurling League, without the consent of respective Team Managements shall be liable to a sanction being imposed for deduction of points where appropriate.

•19)   The penalties for a Club /Unit failing to fulfil a Championship game, including "League Stage" of Championship and All County Hurling and Football Leagues (including Minor) will be determined as per Rule 6.25, 6.36 and 6.37, Official Guide 2011. In Championship and "League Stage" of Championship, the penalty for a first unfulfilled fixture shall be award of game to opposing team and a minimum fine of €100; in All County Hurling and Football Leagues, for a second unfulfilled fixture shall be award of game to opposing team, disqualification from the League, a minimum fine of €100 and automatic relegation to lower League Division for the following year (final penalty will be determined and at the discretion of the CCC).

•20)   Requests for postponements will only be entertained in the event of a death in a player's or official's immediate family or at the discretion of the CCC and only whereby the refixture will be played within three days of the postponed fixture.

•21)   In the event of a postponement being agreed by the two Clubs and with the permission of the CCC, the re-fixture must take place by agreement with the two Clubs within three days of the postponement. Failure to do this will result in forfeiture of points for the two teams.

•22)   In all knockout championship games, when the game ends in a draw, the replay will take within three to five days of the drawn game or at the discretion of the CCC.

•23)   In the event of a clash of colours both teams must change jerseys for championship games, for league games home team must change.

•24)   First named team has home advantage in ACFL, ACHL, JFC, JHC, JFC "B" & "C", JHC "B" & "C" and U21 & Minor "B" Competitions and in all Minor and Juvenile Leagues. Home Clubs are allowed charge a gate admittance fee to a maximum of €5. Home Club is responsible for payment of Referee and/or Officials (i.e. League, including Minor - €45; Championship, including U21 & Minor "B" - €50).

•25)   If home venue is not available, game must be played at your opponent's venue in ACFL, ACHL, MFL, MHL, JFC, JHC, U21FC, U21HC, "B" and "C" competitions.

•26)   Games will not be changed when they appear on local papers, i.e. 1.00pm Monday.

•27)   Referees expenses for League, Championship and Competition games (including Minor & U21 "B") played on Home and Away basis, the Home Club is responsible for payment to Referee, i.e. League €45 / game and Championship & "B" and "C" Competitions €50 / game. Payment must be paid by Home Club prior to game. In Juvenile Competitions (Under 14 and 16), both Teams contribute €20 each towards Referee Expenses.

•28)   League games - Host club and Travelling Club, each to be responsible for providing two umpires and one linesman in the event of the referee having none.

•29.   Grading - Clubs to name and list a minimum of seventeen players for each grade of Championship excluding the Club's lowest grade. The names for each grade of championship must correspond in most instances to their previous year's Championship status, except where a team is promoted or relegated or where a Club use in excess of seventeen players in a Championship grade. Clubs must also list Players who played at a higher grade in 2011 and whom are now being included in the Club's lowest grade. Clubs failing to comply in listing these players will be penalised by the inclusion of the player in the higher grade. Each Clubs list is subject to examination by the CCC, who may at their discretion make additions to the seventeen names listed. The closing date for submission of Player Grading (17) is 19^th. March. Clubs will be asked to review and resubmit Player Grading prior to 13^th. July.  CCC will monitor throughout the League campaign and regulars excluded from original grading panel of 17 and playing at the higher grade will be added to July Grading submission. It was also agreed that "profile" players known to be abroad or emigrated will not be accepted in first 17 names, but will be added extra in the event of them returning during the year.

•2.       Match Day Regulations: The following were the proposed Regulations Governing the Organisation and Presentation of all Games in Pairc Ui Mhordha and other Grounds was passed. Members of Coiste Bainisti, Coiste Peil and Coiste Ioman shall act as Monitors / Advisers and shall report all breaches of these Regulations to Laois C.C.C., who may impose minimum penalties or fines (as scheduled) for breaches of such Regulations as reported.

•1)      Number allowed entry to Ground, Dressing Room and Designated Seating

(a).         (i) The number of players allowed entry to Ground, Dressing Room and Designated Seating shall be up to a maximum of 26.

(ii) Only these names i.e. up to 26 names shall be published in an Official Programme.

(b).         (i) The number of officials allowed entry to Ground, Dressing Room and Designated Seating shall be 7 (including Chairman and Secretary).

(ii) In addition, 3 hurley carriers shall be allowed entry for a hurling game.                                                                                                                            Penalty - Fine - €100.00

•2)      Numbering of Players / Playing Attire

•a)      In all matches players shall be appropriately numbered from 1 to not more than 26. 

•b)      Players shall be numbered in accordance with the Official Programme - an exception will be made only in case of a valid withdrawal and must be notified in advance to the C.C.C.

•c)       Each team shall have uniform colour of socks and shorts.

•d)      Playing attire shall comply with the Associations rule on playing gear (Riail 1.17, T.O. 2009) and the Association's logo shall be displayed on all jerseys.

Fine - €100.00 or Penalty as per Treorai Oifigiuil 2010

•3)      Dug-out, Seating and Entry to Pitch

(a). Teams and officials shall exit the dressing room areas to pitch via the tunnel exit end on your dressing room side. Entry and exit to and from dressing room areas to be via these exits at half time and end of match.

(b). Substitutes and officials shall occupy the designated seating area in stand or elsewhere as instructed by the Stewards of the fixture.

(c). Team manager, 2 selectors (to a maximum of 3), team medical officer / physio plus one team administrative official may occupy the sideline seating.     

Penalty - Fine - €150.00 or Pitch Enclosure Ban.

•4)      Punctuality

•a)      Teams shall take the field and leave the field at the time indicated by the Stewards of the fixture.

•b)     Where no time has been specified teams shall take the field at least 10 minutes before the specified starting time and 15 minutes before the starting time where a parade and photographs are organised.

•c)      Teams shall take instructions from the Stewards of the fixture regarding the kick / puck - around and team photographs before the game.

•d)     The half time interval shall not exceed 10 minute. (Riail 6.43, T.O. 2010).

Fine - €150.00 or Penalty as per Treorai Oifigiuil 2010

•5)      Kick / Puck Around / Warm Up

•a)      Pre- match warm up area of the pitch shall be determined and notified by the Committee in Charge.

•b)      A Kick / Puck around shall not be allowed at half time in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations

Penalty - Fine - €100.00

•6)      Parade / Amhrán na bhFiann

•(a)    Parade:

•                                            i. Where a parade is organised, only the 15 players commencing the game as per the official list handed to the Match Referee are permitted on the pitch for the Parade / Amhrán na bhFiann. All other officials must vacate the pitch prior to this and go to their designated seating.

•                                           ii. Teams shall march in numerical order after the captain.

•                                         iii. Tracksuits / Training tops / Helmets shall not be worn during the parade.

•(b)   Amhrán na bhFiann: Amhrán na bhFiann shall be played after the parade and immediately prior to the "throw in" in the main game on all Senior Championship final occasions. Teams must stand to attention facing the flag in a respectful manner on the field.

Penalty - Fine - €1,000.00

•7)      Team Mentors

•a)      One authorised team official shall wear a distinctive top (supplied by the County Committee), which shall have the word "BAINISTEOIR" or "MAOR FOIRNE" in clear large letters. Only this team official may move alongside the sideline or end line to make changes, and / or to give instructions or to call players towards him. This official may not interfere with play, remain behind the goal area or engage in any behaviour, which, is deemed by the C.C.C., to interfere with the control of the game by the Referee, Linesman, Umpires and Sideline Official.

•b)      A Team Medical Officer or authorised official shall wear a distinctive top (supplied by the County Committee). Where the Medical Officer is not a doctor, the referee may, in addition, summon a doctor to attend to an injured player. The referee is advised to delegate authority to the Linesman to assist him in the event of an emergency i.e. serious injury on the field of play.

•c)       The 2 Team Selectors plus one Team Administrative Official shall also wear distinctive tops (supplied by the County Committee) and must remain seated for the duration of the game.

•d)      The Referee or other officials appointed by the C.C.C. shall report any unauthorised entry to the sideline or on the field of play.

Penalties:

•                                 i.            Offenders reported by the Referee for unauthorised entry onto the field of play maybe dealt with under Riail 6.43, T.O. 2010.

•                               ii.            For breaches of this Regulation other than those with under Riail 6.43, offenders may be excluded from the Pitch Enclosure for future games as determined by Laois C.C.C.

Penalty - Fine - €200.00 or Pitch Enclosure Ban

•8)      Hurley & Water Carriers

•a)      In Hurling, each team shall be permitted to position one Hurley carrier on each of the 20-metre lines on the terrace side of the pitch and the other at the area designated for team mentors. The Hurley carriers shall also act as Water carriers.

•b)     In Football, each team shall be permitted to position one Water carrier on each of the 20-metre lines on the terrace side of the pitch. Water carriers may not go on to the field during play and may only supply water or other liquids during a stoppage in play.

•c)      A distinctive bib or top with the word "Maor Caman / Uisce" (supplied by the County Committee) shall be issued to each respective Hurley or Water carrier.

Penalty - Fine - €200.00 or Pitch Enclosure Ban

•9)      Substitutions.

•a)      A maximum number of three substitutes, without a ball, shall be allowed to warm up on the sideline at any one time and shall be confined to their own half of the field.

•b)     Substitutions shall be made as per Treorai Oifigiuil 2010.

Penalty - Fine - €200.00

•10)   Programme.

•a)      Teams shall be provided for the official programme, on request, four days before the game i.e. no later than Wednesday noon prior to Saturday evening / Sunday game.

•b)     The full name of players shall be in Irish and English.

•c)      The inclusion of A.N.Other is not permitted.

Penalty - Fine - €200.00

•11)   Video.

The use of video in O'Moore Park is permitted subject to obtaining prior permission of Laois C.C.C., whom may on request be provided with a video tape of any particular game. In the event of an investigation to a particular game or on the request of Laois C.C.C., copy of such tape shall not be released to any other party.