Delegates at this weekend's annual GAA Congress in Sligo have voted in favour of a return to the old Qualifier system for the All-Ireland Football Senior Championship.
The decision will see Division 4 (Tommy Murphy Cup) teams make a return in 2009 to the Qualifier series.
In addition, Wexford's Glynn/Barntown were successful in
ensuring that home and away advantage applies to the first round of
the All-Ireland Qualifers.
The South-East club moved a motion earlier today which now
allows that 'where a team is drawn away for the second year running
in the first round of the All-Ireland Qualifers, that team receive
home advantage. In the event of both teams having been drawn away
the previous year, toss for home advantage.'
Elsewhere at the Congress, delegates from Laois, Offaly, Carlow, Galway and Meath withdrew their motions in relation to issues over relegation and promotion, including the controversial use of scoring difference, in favour of a proposal by GAA President Nickey Brennan.
During a healthy debate , delegates considered the merits of motions 19-23, which in the main stated that the use of scoring difference involving promotion and relegation issues in club competition, particularly at juvenile level be abolished.
The five motions were withdraw in favour of the comments of Brennan, who said he would establish a committee to debate the issue.