In a move that will further annoy managers up and down the country, the GAA has revealed its final rule change before the Championship starts: Protestant GAA players or vicars are not allowed to score goals, and must either score a point or pass the ball if they are clean through on goal. If successful, atheists might be added to the rule before the knockout stage.

The new rule, the fifteenth to be tried out this year, will mean all players must declare their faith before the Championship starts, with severe penalties being forced upon counties if they flout the rule.

A prominent GAA Rule Committee member, Trevor Sharkey, warned managers:

“We’ve a fair idea who the Protestant players are, even just by the look of them. We have decided to introduce this rule to add more chaos and jeopardy to the game and everyone wants that, don’t they. For now, atheists can score goals but that might not be the case in June. We shall see.”

County Down are to challenge the new rule tomorrow night, complaining that it’s hard enough for them to score goals as it is.