The professional level matches along with the minor and under-21 matches are played in two halves of 30 minutes each. On the other hand the senior inter-county games last for 70 minutes i.e. two halves of 35 minutes. If the match ends in a draw a 20 minute golden time is awarded to decide the winner whereas, the half time lasts for 5 to 10 minutes.
The following are regarded technical fouls ("fouling the ball") :
Moving four steps without releasing, bouncing the ball
Bouncing the ball twice in a row
Changing hands: Throwing the ball from right hand to left or vice versa (valid in female game)
Throwing the ball (it may be "hand-passed" by punching with the fist).
Hand passing a goal. To hand pass a ball with an extensive palm there must be a clear punching action
Pulling the ball directly off the ground (it must be scooped up into the hands by the foot). However, in women Gaelic football the ball may be picked up directly.
Square ball is an often controversial rule: If the ball enters the small square, and there is already an attacking player inside the small rectangle, then a free out is awarded.
It is a foul where a player fails to adhere to the officials' judgment or instructions. The player can be forewarned (by a yellow card), ordered off the pitch without a substitute (red card), the free kick placement, or the game can be terminated in certain circumstances. The following are recognized dissent fouls:
To challenge the power of a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official
To fail to comply with a Referee's instruction to use a mouth guard.
To forbid leaving the field of play, on the instruction of the Referee after the player has been injured and is bleeding.
To show disagreement with the Referee's decision while awarding a free kick to the opposing team.
To resist to leave the field of play when ordered sent off (Red Card) or rejoin the game after being ordered off.
A team or player(s) leaving the field without the Referee's permission or refusing to continue playing the game
A yellow card is used to caution a player, red card is used to send the player off the field without a substitute and the black card is awarded to send the player off with a substitute.
