Rule enhancements suit the game Kildare want to play

Twelve months after the Football Review Committee implemented changes that got the ball rolling on what was widely credited as improving the men’s game, the LGFA have followed suit. The governing body introducing a set of trial rule alterations they hope will enhance multiple aspects of ladies football in 2026.

The dozen trial rules were given their first outing over the weekend, with half drawn directly from 2025 men’s reforms, while the remainder focus largely on the tackle and allowing for increased levels of physical contact.

The men’s National League last year did see teething problems with mid-season alterations, and over the winter, there were controversial moments at the end of big games in the business end of the club championship season.

After a first viewing in the 1-10 to 2-7 draw with Cork on the MTU campus, Kildare manager Pat Sullivan was happy with how his side coped with the playing conditions, in particular the solo-and-go.

“It’s speeding up the game and we want to speed it up as well,” Sullivan said after the opening round of the Lidl National League.

There were a few moments of confusion in this area, with players unsure whether a solo-and-go was permitted when play was brought back following an advantage. More than once, the officials insisted players retreat to where the initial foul was committed.

“Overall, we adapted really well to it, and Cork will adapt to it too.”

While the game saw no two-point attempts, there were a number of instances where match referee Jonathan Murphy of Carlow advanced the ball 50 metres either for dissent or players not retreating quickly enough after fouls.

“Both teams got caught for that and there was one (three-up) breach but overall, John did a very good job at letting the game flow,” Sullivan said.

“We just have to learn when you give away a free you have to get out of the vicinity and get switched onto defensive mood. That’s good for the game as well.” While both Rachel Fennin and Caoimhe Richmond opted to go short with the majority of their kick-outs, there were a few instances where wing-backs were able to claim marks from restarts.

The new rules also allow for extra physicality, especially in the tackle. There was noticeably more contact here than seen in ladies football in recent years. Players like Nanci Murphy were able to use their strength in possession and the impressive half-back line of Hazel McLoughlin, Lisa Shaw and team captain Laoise Lenehan better able to make their presence felt.

“From an S&C perspective, we have a lot of work done,” Sullivan noted, “you can see we have a lot of fitness work done too.” 

This early season conditioning was needed for a game that was played at times in glorious sunshine on Leeside. With the increased pace of the game – and some early-year rustiness – both sides made full use of their respective benches.

The combination of a faster, more physical game paired with a hectic spring schedule, makes it a challenging time for Sullivan and the Kildare management.

The games come thick and fast in the National League for the Lilywhites with Armagh travelling to Cedral St Conleth's Park on Sunday, before a trip to Galway seven days later.

“The first block of three (games) is really, really tough. You get a break for a week, and you have to go back at it again for two. It’s six weeks with five games,” the manager outlined. “We have a bus full going playing college football next week too.

“We’ll learn a lot from today but we got a point, that point could be massive for us in six or eight weeks’ time.”