Central Council: At Saturday's meeting of Central Council, a notice of motion from Kilkenny that the experimental rules in the National Hurling League be abandoned for the remainder of the competition was ruled out of order on the recommendation of the GAA's Management Committee.

The motion was proposed by the Kilkenny delegate John Healy but Kerry delegate Gerald McKenna pointed out that a motion proposing to change the rules applicable in a competition before that competition was completed had to be ruled out of order. GAA President Seán Kelly, stated this was also the management committee's view.

At the meeting it was agreed that a new players lounge in the dressingroom area of Croke Park would be ready for the final stages of the championship. This will replace an existing players lounge on level four of the Hogan Stand which has proven unsatisfactory because of location.

It was confirmed that an extra exit from Croke Park at the junction of the Hogan and Canal End stands will have to be provided for forthcoming concerts in the stadium. The provision of this exit will necessitate a temporary reduction in capacity.

And it was also confirmed that a new ticketing system in association with Ticketmaster will be introduced for this year's championships.

Finally, in the context of licences granted for the general sale of drink in Croke Park, it was agreed that strict controls would apply. No alcoholic drink will be sold during games and the sale of drink will cease an hour after games.