Rules and discipline

General rules and competition regulations

1. Player eligibility and age limits

• Age cut-off: all players must fall within the prescribed age limits set by NISFA as of midnight on 1st July prior to the current season. Eligible birth dates for each age group run from 1st July to 30th June, inclusive.
• School leaving: players automatically become ineligible upon leaving school.
• Dual representation: a player may only represent a second school during the same season with consent from NISFA.

2. Teacher supervision

• All teams must remain under the direct and sole management of a school teacher.
• A school team must be accompanied by a teacher from that school at every fixture.

3. Kit and equipment rules

• Colour clashes: in the event of similar kit colours, the away team must change.
• Goalkeepers must wear a jersey of a distinctively different colour from both outfield teams.
• Match balls: U14 to U18 use size 5, leather or an approved match ball. U12 and U13 use size 4.

4. Playing surfaces and pitch dimensions

• Surfaces: all ties must be played on grass or an approved 3G artificial pitch. Play on any other surface requires prior mutual consent from both teachers.
• Dimensions are subject to reasonable local conditions and prior agreement between both accompanying teachers.

6. Substitutions

• Teams may name up to 5 substitutes on the match sheet.
• A maximum of 5 substitutes may be used per match.
• All substitute names must be submitted to the referee prior to kick-off. Unlisted players may not take part.

7. Match officials and result reporting

• Referees, rounds prior to quarter-finals: the away team is responsible for appointing a qualified referee or providing a teacher to referee.
• Reporting results: the winning team must report the match result to the designated Competition Organiser within 24 hours of the round's scheduled completion date.

8. Discipline and governance

• Red cards: any player sent off is automatically suspended from their team's next competition match. The teacher in charge must report the dismissal to the Competition Organiser immediately.
• Severe misconduct: any team that accumulates 3 or more sendings-off in a single match officiated by an officially appointed referee will be automatically eliminated from the competition.
• Committee authority: the Post-Primary Committee reserves the right to amend match dates due to unforeseen circumstances and holds full authority to eliminate any team failing to comply with these regulations.