Parent's Guide to GAA Underage Gaelic Games Under 7-Under 12 in Ulster 2026

Under the 2026 Go Games FAQ:

• Everyone plays. All participants play in the game: everyone "Has a Go". If a team has a few extra players, rolling substitutions are used; if a club has enough for two teams, it should enter two.
• Games are small-sided, with modified playing rules to give children more time and space to master skills and make decisions.
• A blitz (or festival) must include at least three clubs, or several teams from two clubs. Each team gets at least two games, and all teams get the same number of games and the same playing time.
• One team against another club's team (1 v 1) is not allowed from Under 7 to Under 11. It is only allowed at Under 12, where it must be approved, and some counties may not permit it.
• Every blitz must be approved in advance through the Associations' approval process. Host clubs must send the approval to visiting clubs; attending an unapproved blitz can lead to a club sanction.

Under the joint GAA, Camogie and LGFA Go Games policy (2026 FAQ):

• No scores are kept in any form at blitzes. They are non-competitive, with no winner. At Under 12 county leagues, only win, loss or draw is noted.
• No knock-out rounds, semi-finals or finals in any type of Go Games. The one exception is county-run Under 12 leagues, where finals are allowed, but every club should get the chance to play in a finals day (1 v 2, 3 v 4, 5 v 6 and so on).
• No tournaments: events must follow a blitz format and be called a blitz or festival.
• No trophies. Medals or certificates are allowed if every player gets the same. Only county-run Under 12 leagues may present trophies; a club-run Under 12 event may not.
• Memorial events are allowed but must be called a memorial blitz or fun blitz day, and any memorial trophy must not be presented to a team.
• Clubs cannot run leagues, competitions or finals in any form of Go Games; only counties run leagues.
• Go Games must not be used for grading players for older age grades.

From the 2026 Go Games FAQ (GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA):

• Hurling and camogie: a hurl and a helmet (with a facial guard meeting IS:355).
• Gaelic football: a gum shield, worn at all times.
• All codes: appropriate footwear.
• Playing gear: players are advised to wear their club jersey and shorts (shorts or skorts for camogie). All players on a team must be in the same colours to help the referee; bibs can be used if needed.

Your child must also be a registered member of their Association (GAA, Camogie Association or LGFA). This is needed for injury cover.

Under GAA Official Guide Part 1, Rule 6.17, as set out in the 2026 Go Games FAQ:

• Girls may play GAA hurling and Gaelic football up to and including the Under 12 grade. They must be members of the GAA.
• Boys may not play camogie or ladies' Gaelic football.

So at Go Games ages, girls and boys can play together in hurling and men's football. Above Under 12, girls play camogie (Camogie Association) or ladies' Gaelic football (LGFA). Both associations also run their own Go Games under the same joint Go Games policy as the GAA.

Always, in every game and every training session, at every age.

Hurling (GAA Official Guide, Part II, Rule 4.2(i)): in all hurling games and practice sessions, each player must wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets IS:355 (or a replacement standard set by the National Standards Authority of Ireland). The helmet must not be modified from its original manufactured state in any circumstances. If a hurler suffers a head injury while wearing a helmet that does not meet the standard, or has been modified or altered, they are not covered by the GAA Player Injury Fund.

Camogie (Camogie Association Official Playing Rules 2024-2027, Rule 7.2): in all camogie games and training sessions, each player must wear an NSAI IS:355 helmet with facial guard, again unmodified. A referee first cautions a player who refuses, and then deals with continued refusal as dissent.

The GAA has warned hurling and camogie players about dangerous counterfeit helmets on sale, and the Camogie Association advises checking that all faceguard bars are secure and undamaged before every session.

Yes. Since 1 January 2014, the GAA has made it mandatory for players in all grades to wear a mouthguard in all Gaelic football games and practice sessions. The 2026 Go Games FAQ confirms footballers must wear a gum shield at all times, including in Go Games.

• Wearing one is the individual player's responsibility.
• A player can be sent off in a game for not wearing a mouthguard.
• A player who does not comply is not covered by the GAA Player Injury Scheme.
• A player who cannot wear a mouthguard for medical reasons can apply to the GAA for an exemption, with supporting medical evidence clearly stating why.

The GAA's slogan is "No Mouthguard? No Game!"

The Gaelic Games Code of Behaviour (Underage) asks parents and guardians to act as role models. It says parents should:

Encourage their child to: always play by the rules, improve their skills, appreciate everybody on the team regardless of ability, and keep a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Lead by example:

• be positive about their child's participation
• respect officials' decisions and encourage children to do the same
• not put undue pressure on their child, and be realistic in their expectations
• never admonish their own or any other child for their standard of play, or embarrass a child or use sarcastic remarks
• show approval for effort, not just results; ask "Did you enjoy yourself?" rather than "How much did you score?"
• applaud good play from all teams
• not criticise performances, and not seek to unfairly affect a game or player
• not enter the field of play unless specifically invited by an official in charge

Help the club by showing appreciation to volunteers, coaches and officials, treating everyone equally, and not entering team dressing rooms unless a coach deems it necessary, to protect other players' privacy.

Under the Gaelic Games Code of Behaviour (Underage), which covers all players under 18, parents and guardians have the right to:

• know their child is safe, and make a complaint if they believe their child's safety is in any way compromised
• be informed of problems or concerns relating to their child
• be informed if their child gets injured
• complain if they have concerns about the standard of coaching
• have a say in decisions being made within the club

In return, parents should complete and return the club's registration, permission and medical consent forms, tell coaches about any changes in their child's medical or dietary needs, make sure their child arrives on time, and provide the clothing and equipment needed, such as helmets, shin guards and gum shields.

Under the 2026 Go Games FAQ (GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA):

• Any qualified referee can officiate a Go Games game.
• The minimum qualification is the Go Games Referee Course, a one-hour online course.
• Participants on the course must be at least 15 years old.

Go Games referees are often new to refereeing. The Associations ask everyone to show respect for the referee at all times ("Take A Second", "Give Respect, Get Respect"), and strongly recommend that each team has someone complete the course.