Clare GAA has confirmed that water breaks will be utilised this weekend amid expected high temperatures.
Maor uisces will deliver water bottles to players once or twice per half, with a maximum of 30 seconds alloted for the stoppages.
Management will not be allowed to interact with players during the breaks, with players instructed to stay on the field of play.
The full text of guidelines issued to clubs is outlined below:
In order to deal with the yellow heat warning, we shall make some temporary edits (applicable to this weekend only) to the following points in our match day regulations as circulated to clubs in recent weeks.
Specifically, paragraph 2.9 shall be edited as follows…
2.9 Maor Uisce
· *Four Maoir Uisce* who must be over 18 years of age, are permitted per team; they may not enter the field of play. Each must wear an official bib (and will be situated as per the “Pitch Layout” on Page 3 of these Regulations, and at least two metres from the sideline.)
· Official team personnel (Selectors/Coaches), substitutes, injured players or members of the extended panel may not act as Maoir Uisce. In the event that any official team personnel, injured player or a member of the extended panel act as a Maoir Uisce, any breach of rule shall be considered as a Misconduct at Games by Team Officials infraction.
· Maoir Uisce are not permitted to have/use Communications devices i.e. walkie talkies.
· In Hurling two of the Maoir Uisce will also act as Hurley Carriers & may only enter the field of play with a replacement hurley when necessary.
· Maor Uisce are not allowed to carry water into the players. Water bottles should be thrown to players feet and thrown back by the players to the sideline.
. During games in hot weather, and on the instruction of the match referee, a pause in play for approx 30 seconds to allow players obtain and drink water will be signalled prior to a puck-out/ kick-out (or when an injury requiring medical/physio attention has caused a delay in play resuming). This will occur once (or at discretion of the referee) twice per half. Players may move to the Maoir Uisce at the sideline during these sos-uisce, but must stay on the field of play.
. Banisteori or other members of management do not have a role in these water-breaks and any incursions onto the field, even when play has been halted for this reason, will be dealt with by the referee in accordance with Riail 7.2
. Players should bring their own reusable bottles and should have those properly labelled so that Maoir Uisce can easily locate and provide the players own bottle when required, and thus avoid unhygenic sharing of bottles.
. Disposable (single-use) plastic bottles should be discouraged – our adult players should be setting the example for our youth and applying the reduce/reuse/recycle principles. Each player should be coming to games with a couple of bottles and bringing those home again.
· Any unauthorised incursions onto the field of play will be dealt with under Riail 7.2 2022.