BY RYAN FERRY
ROISIN Rodgers feels that the new proposed rule changes will improve the spectacle that is Ladies Football and she feels it’s important that the Donegal team embrace the tweaks during the 2026 National League.
At different stages over the last decade, it was suggested that the ladies game was a much better viewing experience than the men’s version.
However, that certainly wasn’t the case last year as the men’s GAA calendar was revitalised by the Football Review Committee’s changes, while Ladies Football struggled to break away from drab defensive fare in the main.
Action has now been taken to rectify that and Ladies Football Central Council is set to meet next week to ratify 12 rule changes ahead of the 2026 season.
A Special Congress will take place in spring 2026 to decide which of the trial rules will be permanently implemented ahead of the inter-county and club championships, with an earlier review period pencilled in during league action.
Six of the 12 changes to be implemented are from the Football Review Committee’s rule enhancements in the men’s game, namely the kick-out mark, the two-point scoring arc, the requirement to keep three players in the opposition half at all times, the solo and go, and frees being brought forward for tactical fouling or dissent from the sideline.
Short restarts within the 40-metre arc will still be allowed.
Rodgers, who was Donegal captain in 2025, is enthused about what this trial process may bring.
“We saw what it was like in the men’s game last year, everything became much more open and it was much faster.
“There was that bit of excitement around it and you didn’t know how things would go.
“Even with the likes of the two-pointer, a team could be ten down and next thing you know, they’re back level, and that made the games great to watch.
“Going into ladies football now, I think it will be good for the game to have the new rules.
“Hopefully ladies football can come away from the defensive structures and have a bit more attacking play with the three inside, and even the ‘touch and go’ should speed things up.
“It will probably be tougher as well on the fitness and getting the legs up to it but that’s all part and parcel as well.
“I’m really looking forward to it and I can’t wait to see what it will bring to the ladies game.
“It’s going to be important from a Donegal perspective that during the trials process that we really commit to the rule changes and that will be better for us in the long run.”
Several of the other proposed changes relate to the contentious issue of the ‘tackle’ and there will be an attempt to introduce more physicality.
Rodgers said: “There has been frustration from both sides. The refs are trying to get their jobs done and the players are trying to win the ball back and sometimes you feel like you are being crucified for it.
“A little bit more contact would be great to have.
“Sometimes you feel you can’t go in for a tackle without it being a free.
“It would be nice that when the player is taking a solo or a bounce that you can tackle and that you can put heat on as well when the ball is by the body.
“I definitely think it would make a massive difference to the flow of the game.
“It might make things a bit more challenging at first but it will make the game quicker.
