ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL THE MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE. Secretary s Handbook & Rules Book SEASON

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1 ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL THE MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE Secretary s Handbook & Rules Book SEASON

2 Barry Cotter - Fixtures Secretary is available Monday-Friday 6pm-10pm. No calls will be answered during daytime. Barry is available Saturday and Sunday. RESULTS Scores and Scorers to be forwarded to: Pat Quinn This should be completed A.S.A.P. after each match as information is needed to update tables and is needed to meet local press deadlines.

3 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE 2017/2018 Hon. Chairman John Finnegan Hon. Vice-Chairman Pat Quinn Hon. Secretary Sean O Sullivan Ashgrove Drive, Carrigaline, Co. Cork. seanosull@topmail.ie Hon. Treasurer Peadar O Leary Dun Ris, Grattan Street, Cork City jpeteroleary@gmail.com Hon. Registrar Leslie Doyle P.O. Box 881, South City Delivery Office, Togher. doylebsm1@gmail.com Hon. Fixtures Secretary Barry Cotter mslfixturesecretary85@gmail.com Disciplinary Chairman John Lyne msldisciplinarysecretary@gmail.com Assistant Treasurer Pat Lyons wagnerlyons@gmail.com Management Committee: Michael Foley michaelfoley22@gmail.com Barry Gould barrygouldm.s.l@gmail.com Donal Linehane donaldlinehane@gmail.com Tony Murphy tmurphy321@hotmail.com MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE DISCIPLINARY MEETINGS Disciplinary meetings will be held in Ballyphehane Community Centre on dates advised. Only those notified by /phone or letter need attend. All players sent off must serve their AUTOMATIC ONE MATCH BAN in the following game at the same grade.

4 (e) Re-grading to Junior Status Any player who has played (5) five or more matches in the current season at Senior/Intermediate level may be re-graded by his league to play at Junior level. All Leagues must facilitate application for re-grading, which must be submitted before 31st January. Any player may only be re-graded once during the current season. RACISM/DISCRIMINATION 50 Any participant who offends, disparages, discriminates against or denigrates someone, or a group of persons, in a derogatory manner on account of race, skin colour, language, religion, ethnic and/or national origin(s) or sexual orientation, or perpetrates any other racist/discriminatory and/or contemptuous act, shall be subject to disciplinary sanction. In the case of individuals, the minimum suspension shall be a period of five(5) matches. NOTE: In the event of a dispute between the rules contained in this booklet and the rules of the FAI, the rules of the FAI shall prevail. FAI- Football Association of Ireland MFA -Munster Football Association MC- Management Committee (of the Munster Senior League) AGM- Annual General Meeting (of the Munster Senior League) SGM- Special General Meeting (of the Munster Senior League) NOTES F.A.I. RULE 34 REGISTRATION/TRANSFER PERIODS FOR AMATEUR GAME a) The registration period for the Amateur game, other than the SFAI, shall be 1st June to the 31st March inclusive for the winter season and 1st December to the 30th September inclusive for the Summer Season. b) The two transfer periods for the amateur game shall be the 1st June to the 30th September and the 1st December to the 31st January inclusive.

5 LOCAL CUP RULES - RULE All games to be completed on the night. If the teams are level after 90 mins then extra time of 10 minutes each way shall be played. If the teams are level after extra time, the FIFA rule on penalties shall apply to determine the winner. 2. While the players in each team may be changed no individual will play for more than one(1) team in any of these competitions during one season. 3. In the event of the ground of the Club having choice an all cup games and knockout stages of the League Cups been declared unplayable, the game will be re-fixed on the opponents ground. This will also apply if the game commences but is not completed due to weather or ground conditions. 4. JOHN HAYES CUP: Only registered players in the Junior First (1st) and Second (2nd) Divisions are eligible to play in this Competition. 47 Clubs to be notified of dates, times and venues of delegate and disciplinary meetings each season. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE 48 Munster Senior League to be indemnified by all affiliated clubs. This figure to be in excess of 2 million. REINSTATEMENT & RE-GRADING 49 (a) The FAI Domestic Committee shall have the power to reinstate any Professional player to Amateur status. (b) Any Professional player may apply to be reinstated as an Amateur player provided at least 30 days has elapsed since his/her last match as a Professional. Applications for reinstatement must be forwarded in writing to the FAI Domestic Football Department for consideration by the FAI Domestic Committee. (c) No compensation is payable upon reacquisition of Amateur status. If a player re-registers as a Professional within 30 days of being reinstated as an Amateur, his new club shall pay Training Compensation in accordance with FIFA directives. (d) Any Professional player with a time of (1) one year elapsed since his last Professional match shall automatically acquire Amateur status. 22

6 (a) A bond of 317 will apply to all clubs re-entering the League having failed to complete their Fixtures the previous season. (b) The record of any club suspended from football by the Governing Body shall be expunged from the League Table. POWER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH CLUB PLAYERS 41 The Management Committee shall have power to fine, expel, deduct points, or otherwise deal with any club or clubs, official or officials, whose conduct may be deemed objectionable, or for contravention of these rules by any person or body under the jurisdiction of the League. ADMISSION TO MATCHES 42 Members of the Management Committee shall be entitled to free admission to all matches played under jurisdiction of this League on producing their card of membership. TROPHIES-LEAGUE PROPERTY 43 The Hon. Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon Treasure of the time being of the League, shall be for all intents and purposes the legal owners of the cups, monies and property of the League, and shall deal with same according to the decision of the Management Committee. 44 Alterations of, and/or additions to, the rules of the League can be made only with the consent of a two thirds majority of fully affiliated teams and members of the Management Committee present and voting at the AGM. Proposed alterations, and/or additions, must be lodged in writing with the Hon Secretary not later than 30th April. Particulars of all proposed alterations and/or additions must be forwarded to the clubs not later than 15th May. The Clubs in membership of the League may make amendments to the proposed alterations and/or additions. Such amendments shall be placed on the Agenda and shall be considered at the AGM if received by the Hon Secretary in writing before 25th May. 45 The Home Club shall be fully responsible for the Referees and Linesmen s safety from the time they enter the ground until such time that they leave the ground. 21

7 CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION 39 At the end of the competition, the club scoring the highest number of points shall be declared the winner of the League Championship. Averages for the championship shall be taken from wins and draws (and not from goals scored) to be counted as follows 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. (a) Under no circumstances will a club play for more than 3 points in any match. In the event of two or more clubs being equal in points, the clubs must play off the decide the Championship. In the case of a test match or matches the League shall take 50% of the net gate receipts, the balance being equally (a) divided between the two clubs participating in such match, or in each of such matches. In the event of two or more clubs being equal in points for the runner-up or promotion or relegation position, play offs will be necessary to decide. (b) In addition to the League Cup, the Management Committee shall present the Champions and Runners-up with medals or badges. (c) All trophies must be returned to the Management Committee not later than 1st February or as requested by the Management Committee. Failure to do so will result in fines of 100 being imposed. (d) Clubs returning trophies in an unsatisfactory conditions will be fined. RECORDS OF CLUB/CLUBS UNABLE TO CONTINUE AND OF SUSPENDED CLUBS 40 Any club or clubs finding it impossible to continue in this competition must forward their registration to the Hon. Secretary immediately the clubs decision to withdraw has been made. If any such club has completed 50% of their League fixtures, their record shall stand in the League Table, and the points for unplayed matches shall be credited to their opponents in the League fixtures as they accrue. If 50% of their League fixtures have not been completed, their record shall be expunged from the League Table. A fine may be levied on any team withdrawing from the League during the season. 20

8 TITLE AND CONSTITUTION RULES OF THE MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE 1 The amalgamation of clubs shall be called the Munster Senior Football League ("The League") and shall be opened to clubs in the province of Munster, and the Munster Senior League Junior Section (Cork Area), who are affiliated to the Munster Football Association. 2 All matches shall be played under the jurisdiction of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Munster Football Association (MFA) and according to the laws of the game. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS 3 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held not later than the 30th day of June each year and each affiliated team shall be entitled to one representative at the Annual General Meeting or any Special Meeting of the League. Representatives from twenty teams to form a quorum. (a) Each member of the Management Committee shall have a vote at all meetings. (b) The Chairman, or in his absence, the Vice Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the League at which he is present, and shall conduct the business in accordance with the ordinary rules of procedure of which he shall be judge. (c) In the absence of both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman the Management Company shall appoint from among them present a member to act Chairman. In the case of equality of votes on any motion at any meeting of the League the residing Chairman shall have a casting vote as well as deliberative vote. BUSINESS OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 4 The business of the AGM shall be to receive the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, to elect the Management Company, Hon-Chairman, Hon Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Register, Hon Fixtures Secretary, Assistant Hon Secretary and any such business as may arise. The Clubs must receive four days notice of the AGM. 6 of the protest, and must be accompanied by a deposit of 40, payable by Postal Order or Money Order made payable to Munster Senior League which shall be forfeited in all cases where the protest has been upheld. A copy of the objection must also be sent by registered letter to the club objected against, bearing postmark of the Post Office, simultaneously with the letter sent to the league Hon. Secretary. In no case will the Hon. Secretary return the deposit after the receipt, unless the protest has been upheld. (a) Any objection to the ground, goal nets, ball or colours must be lodged with the referee before the game is started and the referee shall have power to have such objections made right before the game is started. (b) In the case of protests or if the Management Committee have any doubts as to the qualifications of any player taking part in the competitions, they shall have the power to call upon such player, or the club to which he belongs or for which he played, to prove he is qualified according to the rules, and failing satisfactory proof the Committee shall in the case of a league game award the three(3) points to the team that did not play an ineligible player on a 3-0 scoreline. In the case of a cup game the team who did not play an ineligible player progresses to the next round. If both teams have ineligible players the game is null and void. (c) A fine must be issued in addition to above if the team (or teams) are deemed to have played ineligible players (d) Clubs playing ineligible players shall be fined a maximum of 200. (e) Any team participating in the MSL shall have the right to secure on request the signature of any player participating in the match. Failure to comply with this request will render the team liable to disciplinary action by the Management Committee and possible removal from the competition. (f) Clubs appealing any decision of the MSL must forward their letter outlining their appeal, to the Administrator of the MFA. With an Identical copy to be sent to the Hon. Secretary of the MSL. All appeals to be sent by registered post to both parties before 4 working days have passed and must be accompanied by the appropriate fee payable by postal or money order to the administrator of MFA. 19

9 (d) A Player whom the match official has reported as having committed an assault on a match official before, during or immediately after a match shall automatically stand suspended until the disciplinary process has been completed. (e) A suspension imposed under rule 36(a) shall not apply to the final of any club Cup Competitions or League Play-offs. INELIGIBILITY (SANCTIONS) 37 If a player, while been ineligible, takes part in an official match in League Competitions in which only amateur players are entitled to participate the following shall apply:. If a protest has been lodges in accordance with the relevant League Rules, his team shall be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a fine.. If a League allows, in its own rules, for ineligibility to be raised without lodging a protest, then his team shall be sanctioned with a forfeit and paying a fine, but such ineligibility must be raised within twenty eight (28) calendar days of the particular match. CUP COMPETITIONS:. If such ineligibility has taken place before the players team participates in the next round of the cup Competition, his team shall be sanctioned by forfeiting the most recent match and shall pay a fine. Ineligibility which occurs in previous rounds of the Cup Competition shall not result in a retrospective forfeit but a fine shall be imposed in relation to all applicable fixtures.. The team deemed to have won a match following a forfeit shall progress to the next round of the Competition, or in the case of a final be deemed the winners.. In the case of Finals or Final Replays, if the ineligibility has been brought to the attention of the relevant committee within twenty eight (28) calendar days of the particular match taken place, his team shall be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying a fine. Outside of this twenty eight (28) calendar days timeframe a forfeit shall not be imposed and a fine shall apply.. A team who has fielded an illegible player but has already been eliminated from the Cup Competition shall be sanctioned by paying a fine in relation to all applicable Fixtures. PROTESTS, APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS 38 Objections must be received by the League Hon. Secretary per registered letter bearing postmark of the Post Office, within 4 working days after the cause 18 (a) No member who has not been on the Management Committee for the whole of the previous season will be eligible to represent the League on the Councils of the MFA or the FAI. (b) No person not being a retiring Hon-Chairman, Hon Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Register, Hon Fixtures Secretary, Assistant Hon Secretary or Management Committee member shall be eligible for election to the office of Chairman, Hon-Chairman, Hon Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Register, Hon Fixtures Secretary, Assistant Hon Secretary or committee member unless he has not later than 31st March in each year sent by registered letter to the Hon Secretary of the League a notice in writing signifying his candidature for the office giving the names and addresses of his proposer and seconder who shall be Hon Secretaries of Munster Senior League Clubs. (c) The Management of the League may fill any vacancy in the office of Hon- Chairman, Hon Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Register, Hon Fixtures Secretary, Assistant Hon Secretary or Management Committee Member, which may occur. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING 5 The Management Committee shall have the power to call a Special General Meeting at any time they may deem it necessary. A Special General Meeting may be called if requested by more than 50% of clubs in membership. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 6 The business of the League shall be conducted by the Hon-Chairman, Hon Vice-Chairman, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Register, Hon Fixtures Secretary, Assistant Hon Secretary or Management Committee Members, 50% plus 1 to form a quorum at any meeting of the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall comprise of no more than 12 people which number shall include the officers of the League. 7

10 (a) Any member of the Management Committee who absents himself from three consecutive meetings without a satisfying explanation shall be deemed to have resigned. CLUB REPRESENTATIVES 7 Each club in membership must send a representative to each delegate meeting of the MSL, any club failing to be represented may be fined a sum of 50 which must be paid within fourteen days or further action may be taken against the club. INDEMNITY FOR OFFICERS ETC 8 This League shall indemnify every Officer and member of the Management Committee against all costs, damages, compensation and expenses incurred by him in or about the discharge of his duties as accrued from their/his own wilful acts and defaults. 8(a) Any Club Member found guilty of verbally abusing a Management Committee member at any Official League Match or any related function shall be subject to Disciplinary Action, a minimum 3 month suspension and/or a Club fine may apply. HON. SECRETARY 9 All communications must be addressed to the Hon. Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the League. HON. REGISTRAR AND REGISTRATION 10 The Hon. Registrar shall keep a full record of registrations and transfers and it shall be his duty to investigate any breaches of Rules or any other irregularities made to him by the Management Commmittee. (a) Only Secretaries of Clubs shall have access to the records of registration at any reasonable time agreed with the Hon. Registrar at a fee of 50. League Representatives may have access to the said records with no fee applicable. (b) The closing date for registration will be determined by the rules of the FAI -31st March. MATCH OFFICIAL FEES 35 The Chief Referees Assessor will notify the Management Committee of the League of the Referees appointed for duty with the League. The Referees fees payable by the Home club shall be determined annually in accordance with FAI guidelines. Amateur Referees can be paid expenses only. The Fixtures Secretary shall appoint referees to various matches. (a) A Referee who may be unable to officiate in any match to which he has been appointed must acquaint the League Fixtures Secretary at least 2 days prior to such match. (b) Any complaints against Referees must be made in accordance with the rules of the MFA, a copy of the complaint should be lodged with the Hon. Secretary of the League for the information of the Management Committee and action by them as they deem fit. DISCIPLINARY 36 All Disciplinary Rules are governed by the FAI Rule Book. The Disciplinary Committee under the FAI Disciplinary Rules shall have power to fine and/or suspend players who are reported by match officials for any breaches of the Laws of the game. The responsibility for the payment of fines rests with the club with whom the offending player was playing at the time of the offence. All Disciplinary Matters (excluding Protests/Objections) should be sent to the Disciplinary Secretary. s will suffice in dealing with all disciplinary matters except those that are dealt with by the Hon. Secretary (Protests/Objections). (a) Yellow Cards: All clubs are responsible for monitoring their Yellow Cards. When a player reaches his 4th, 8th, 12th etc yellow card he shall incur a mandatory match(s) suspension, this suspension shall commence on receipt of confirmation from the League. (b) Red Cards: A player who is sent off must serve his automatic suspension in the grade he was sent off in. All suspensions result in the player being uspended from all active local football until he serves his suspension in the grade he was sent off in. The two(2) cautions that incur the red cards are rescinded. If a player is sent off (direct red card) any other cautions he has previously received in the same match are upheld. (c) All suspensions imposed by the League Management Committee to be served in games in local league and local cup fixtures only. 8 17

11 POSTPONEMENTS, WALKOVERS 29 No club or clubs within jurisdiction of the League shall have power to break or postpone a League fixture or change a venue without obtaining the consent of the Management Committee. All matches postponed or undecided shall be re-fixed at the earliest date by the Committee. 30 Any club failing to play a match on the date arranged (A Walkover), without giving satisfactory explanation, shall be fined but such fine shall not exceed 200 plus expenses to include loss of gate receipts sustained. (a) Clubs giving a walk-over shall be levied a bond of 317 which shall be refunded if they go through the following season without giving a walk-over. 31 Teams giving three walkovers may be removed from the League concerned for the remainder of the season and points awarded to all opponents for remaining fixtures. CLUBS DEFAULTING IN AWAY GAMES 32 When a club has defaulted in away fixture it shall be open to the club defaulted against to apply to the Management Committee for compensation to cover loss of gate receipts sustained. The Management Committee shall consider the application and shall have power (at their discretion) to fine the defaulting club a sum not exceeding 127, plus expenses incurred. PLAYERS NAMES ON REFEREES CARD 33 The Secretary or other responsible person of contesting clubs, shall, before the match in which their teams are engaged, fill in on the referee s card in Block Letters, the full Christian and Surnames of the players participating in such match. Player s numbers must match the name on the referee s card. Clubs who fill out Match Cards incorrectly shall forfeit the points and may be fined 100. RESULTS OF MATCHES 34 The results of each match shall be sent by referee, together with the Christian and Surname of each player and Assistant Referees, so as to be in the hands of the League within two days of the date on which the match was played. All sending offs and yellow cards issued must be noted in the match report and match card. (a) The Home and Away Clubs must relay the score and scorers in the game to the League immediately after the game. Failure to comply will entail a fine. 16 HON. TREASURERS, ACCOUNTS ETC 11 The account shall be operated by 4 Nominated Members of the Management Committee who shall sign all cheques; two signatures at any time will be sufficient if the matter is urgent. All payments will be made by cheque, except authorised petty cash expenditure in respect of postage and suchlike. The Hon. Treasurer shall submit a balance up to date at each Finance meeting when an up to date bank statment will be available for inspection. The accounts shall be brought to a close on the 30th April each year and a copy, duly audited, shall be submitted to each club for consideration at the AGM. FORMATION OF LEAGUE 12 The first business of the Management Committee at its inaugural meeting after the AGM shall be to determine the number of Clubs to form the League for the ensuing season, and to fill any vacancy that may exist. The divisions of the League shall be decided by the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall have the sole control as to the number of teams in each division and may vary the divisions as they deem fit and shall announce any adjustments before the start of the season. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP 13 Annual Subscriptions to the League shall be determined by the Management Committee and notified to the Annual General Meeting each year and this subscription shall be payable with Application fees. 14 Application for membership of the League must be received (in writing) by the Hon. Secretary not later than the 1st July. 9

12 REFUNDS AND RE-IMBURSEMENTS 15 Any club taking part in any competition under the auspices of the League shall not be entitled to any refund of entrance fees or subscriptions. (If at the end of the season it is found by the Management Committee that they hold surplus funds on hand, such funds shall be carried forward to the accounts of the following season. REGISTRATION OF CLUB COLOURS 16 Each club, in the League shall register its colours and alternative colours, including socks with the Hon. Secretary. In the event of two clubs registering the same colours the AWAY Club shall change when such clubs meet in any domestic competition. Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players. In the event of two clubs with the same colours meeting in a test match on a neutral ground, the Management Committee shall rule as to which club shall have the choice. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS 17 A player is only eligible to play in a League or Cup match if he is an amateur and there is at least (1) one calendar day between the receipt of the registration form by the League and the day of the match. A bona fide member of a club is one who has been registered with the League Hon. Registrar. Players shall be registered on forms supplied to the Hon. Registrar prior to the kick off of the first match. The League cannot accept any registration before July 1st in any season. Registration forms bearing postmark prior to this date shall be invalid. No franking of registration forms acceptable. In the event of a player signing forms for more than one club, the club for which he is first registered with shall be the club to which he belongs. The League Date Stamp will be the official date of registration. 10 INSPECTION OF GROUND IN UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER 25 In the case of unfavourable weather, the Referee shall inspect the ground at least one hour before the fixed hour of kick off and on appeal by each of the competing clubs must give a decision as to whether the ground is playable or otherwise. When one of the competing teams has a distance of more than 25 miles to travel, referees may be requested to make a decision on the ground conditions in a reasonable time to prevent them making an unnecessary journey. The Home Team Secretary after notifying the Fixtures Secretary shall contact the Away Teams Secretary and the Appointed Referee and notify them that the fixture is cancelled. 26 Approved goal nets must be used in All GROUNDS matches. Where a ground has been rented from another club the rent charged should include the provision and erection of goal nets, corner flags and marking of the ground. (a) Technical areas must be clearly marked out as per rule. (b) The Home Team are responsible for match balls. ABANDONMENT OF UNFINISHED MATCHES 27 If, through any cause whatever, a match has been abandoned before the completion of the full ninety minutes, the Management Committee shall have the power at their discretion to allot the points or order the match to be replayed in its entirety (to be fixed by the Management Committee). 27(a) If a match official has to abandon a match due to the conduct of the members of a team, including their officials, the offending team shall forfeit the match and the team and/or officials may be sanctioned. 28 If an "away" club travels to fulfil a properly arranged fixture and the match has been abandoned or unfinished for any reason, and if such match be subsequently re-fixed by the Management Committee at any venue than the original, the "away" club shall be entitled to half of the net gate receipts from the re-fixture. The net gate receipts shall be computed after the deduction of ground rent, referees fees and advertising expenses from the gross gate receipts. 15

13 NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF CLUB SECRETARIES (a) All players must be registered to play in the League. 22 Clubs must forward to the League Hon. Secretary the names, addresses and addresses of their Hon. Secretaries and Officers; Grounds, Colours and copy of their current Public Liability cover on an application form supplied by the League. Clubs changing their addresses must notify such changes in writing with immediate effect to the Hon. Secretar of the M.S.L. LEAGUE & CUP FIXTURES 23 All matches and venues shall be arranged by the Management Committee at a meeting specially convened for the purpose, subsequent to the AGM of the League. Clubs shall play home and away matches except otherwise directed by the Management Committee. All matches must except by permission of the Management Committee be played on the dates appointed for it. (a) The Management Committee shall decide as to the running of Cup competitions in each season. (b) The Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season. The proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the League, after expenses. (c) Players selected for Representative Matches shall be bound to place themselves at the disposal of the League and in the event of any player failing, without satisfactory reason, to comply with this rule, he shall be adjudged as guilty of misconduct, and the Management Committee shall have power to take any appropriate action they decide. COMMENCEMENT OF MATCHES 24 Matches should be started at the appointed time of kick-off. Clubs guilty of a systematic breach of this rule shall be fined a sum not exceeding 40. (b) Youth players must be registered with a team. (c) If a player s registration is cancelled by the League, the said registration remains the property of the League. (d) (e) All Senior teams must have a minimum of 16 players registered. A Junior Team can on ly register 30 players (excluding youths). PLAYER ELEGIBILTY 18 Senior Section: No team shall include in any competition (League or Cup) under the jurisdiction of the MSL (Senior Section) more than two players who have played five League of Ireland games (League, Cup, FAI Senior Cup. European Cup competitions and games of other Leagues of similar status included) during the current season. No team shall include more than three(3) registered junior players. (a) A Player Registered Senior cannot play Junior (League or Cup) within MSL. (b) Players in provincial/national Junior Competitions are governed by the rules of the competitions. (c) Junior Section: A Junior Player on playing his 5th Intermediate game automatically becomes a Senior Player. (d) A Registered Junior Player who plays in a Senior Cup Competition locally, provincially or nationally is not permitted to play in any local Junior Cup Competition

14 (e) Floodlit League: All players in this competition must be over the age of 35 years on the 1st January of the current season. Teams shall consist of 11 players and 5 substitutes. No registered senior players are eligible to play. A maximum of two(2) registered junior players are allowed on the Match Card. A player who at any stage of the current season was registered senior is ineligible to play. Players substituted cannot play again in the same game. Games shall consist of 2 halves of 25 minutes a half. There shall be no offside in the game. Players must be properly registered members of their clubs. No player registered with another club can play unless he is properly transferred. It will be the responsibility of the club protested against to prove the eligibility of any player. Games must commence at the appointed time. Teams not on the field at the appointed time shall be the subject of disciplinary action and shall forfeit the game and shall also be liable for full match expenses. In cup competitions should the teams finish level after 50 minutes play, then the FIFA penalty rule shall apply. Players must wear appropriate footwear at all times. (No studs allowed). (f) Players may be registered for a maximum of three(3) clubs during the current season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play in Official Matches for two(2) clubs. (For the purpose of this rule to play means the player must participate in the game). COMPETITIVE MATCHES 19 The duration of all League games shall be 45 minutes each half. (a) Substitution Rule: A team may at its discretion use five (5) substitutes at the time during games under the jurisdiction of the MSL from a nominated panel of seven (7) players. These names to be entered on the match card in block letters and given to the referee prior to the commencement of the game. (b) League Cup Competitions Rule: In the event of two or more teams being equal on points in a section or otherwise goal difference will decide. If in the event of two or more teams being equal on points and goal difference the teams with highest goals for will qualify. If in the event of two or more teams being equal on points, goal difference and goals for a play off will be necessary to decide who qualifies for the next stage of the competition. Any club, which receive a walkover in this competition, will be credited with 3 goals for. 12 TRANSFER OF PLAYERS 20 A player may be transferred from one club to another during the season on a form supplied by the League. No player shall be permitted to transfer his services unless he has satisfied all financial claims of the club for which he had last played. Permission must be obtained from the players last club and must be sanctioned by the league, but a transfer shall be deemed to have received League sanction if the form duly completed by the player and signed by the Secretaries of the clubs concerned is received by the Hon. Registrar of the League, if there is at least (1) one calendar day between the receipt of the form by the League and the day of the match. Players transferred must also be registered with the club transferred to. In the case of any dispute over a transfer, the Management Committee shall rule. (a) Transfers will only be sanctioned within the timetable of the transfer windows as laid down by the rules of the FAI in any year. Players of any League whom for whatever reason shall have their registrations cancelled by their clubs in that League shall not be eligible to play in this League after the last date of the transfer window in any year. Transfers are subject to the adherance of Rule 17(a) League Date Stamp only shall be conclusive evidence. Players transferring to or from the MSL must be transferred on official transfer or clearance forms of the League in which they have been participating. (b) No club can transfer more than two(2) registered players from any one MSL club(senior or Junior) during the current season except with the consent of the MC of the club as confirmed in writing by the Hon. Secretary of the club from which the players are been signed. APPROACHING A REGISTERED PLAYER 21 No club shall be at liberty to approach or sign a player of another club without the permission of the club for which the player is registered. Proven breaches of this rule shall be dealt with by the Management Committee as they deem fit. 13