GAA Sanctions and Permits

As of December 2023, players should apply for the following sanctions and permits through the GAA Player Transfer System in Foireann:

• USGAA Sanction: For a player intending to play for a Club in an area governed by the USGAA Board from 1 March to the end of October in any one year.
• New York Sanction: For a player intending to play for a Club in an area governed by the New York Board from 1 March to the end of October in any one year.
• Canadian Sanction: For a player intending to play for a Club in an area governed by the Canadian Board from 1 March to the end of October in any one year.
• J1 Sanction: For a player intending to play for a Club in an area governed by the USGAA Board on a J1 Visa from 1 March to the end of October in any one year. The J1 Work and Travel Programme Visa refers to the four-month Visa for 3rd level students.
• Weekend Authorisation: A Weekend Authorisation is required by any player intending to play for a Club in a game under the jurisdiction of the New York Board for a given weekend.
• European Student Permit: For a player who is pursuing a full-time course of study in a country under the jurisdiction of the European Board. This permit allows the player to play with a Club in Europe and with the player’s own Club.
• Inter-County Hurling Permit: For Senior Inter-County Hurling Competitions, a player, subject to the conditions in the GAA Official Guide, shall be entitled to: A) Declare for the First County of either of their parents; or B) Play for the County of Residence, provided this County is a designated County, while continuing to be eligible to play with their Own Club.

The GAA’s rules governing sanctions and permits are covered in the Official Guide Part 1 2023 and GAA Official Codes 2023, Section 9. See pages 15 and 16: https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/rm0jrycjasokwfcltlfc.pdf

Process Overview

The basic process is as follows:

1. Access Player Transfer System

• Login to your Foireann account at Foireann.ie
• Navigate to the 'Profile' tab
• Select 'Player Transfers' under the Profile tab

2. Start New Application

• Explore application types and rules
• Click on 'Start New Application' in the 'Player Transfers' section
• Applications must be initiated by the player

3. Provide Application Info.

• Fill in the details required
• Sanctions require proof of suitable insurance

4. Joining Club Review

• The Secretary of the joining Club must review and approve the application before it goes to the GAA centrally for processing

5. Application Considered

• Once the GAA centrally processes the application, the relevant Club and County Secretaries receive it for their consideration
• Clubs/Counties review the application and can either accept or reject it

6. Decision on Application

• Decision notification is sent by the GAA centrally via email once everyone has approved an application and everything is in order
• Next steps are outlined in the confirmation email

Guidance on using the Player Transfer System

User guides on using the system are available via the Foireann help centre: Help Centre.

If you have technical issues with using the system, please submit a support ticket: Support Ticket Form.

A list of answers to common questions are also available via this link: GAA Player Transfer System FAQs

Mandatory Insurance

All players that will be seeking an Official GAA Sanction from Central Council to play in North America (USGAA), New York or Canada for the summer are reminded that travel insurance must be arranged in Ireland before they commence their journeys. Proof of this insurance is required as part of the application process

• Players wishing to play in North America must purchase cover for a minimum of 90 days (3 months). It is the player's own responsibility to ensure they are covered for all dates of potential fixtures.
• Travel insurance is not a private health insurance. It only covers players if there is a sudden and unexpected accident or if a player becomes ill during his trip.
• Generally, where doctors appointed by Insurers deem treatment in Ireland//Britain more appropriate, players will be repatriated home for treatment.
• Players playing overseas are not covered under the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.

The only currently acceptable insurances are:

• USIT via MAPFRE (Grade 5): Must include confirmation of an upgrade from the standard cover of “Hazardous Activities Grade 1” – to include “Hazardous Activities: Grade 5”
• Blue Insurance (Grade 3): Must include confirmation of an upgrade from the standard cover to include “Sports and Activities: Grade 3”
• J1 Ireland Travel Insurance: Policy endorsed to note cover for Gaelic Games

Live Sanction Lists

• USGAA County Board Sanctions
• New York Sanctions
• Canadian Sanctions
• J1 Sanctions
• European Student Permits