The controversial handpass rule endorsed by Central Council last November and trialled during the pre-season competitions will not continue into the League.
The decision was taken to abolish the rule at a meeting of the Ard Chomhairle this afternoon.
RTÉ Sport understands that the decision not to proceed with the rule for the league was decided by a very slender margin. Central Council delegates were sharply divided between those who favoured removing the rule and those who wished it to receive a further trial.
The rule limited the number of consecutive handpasses to three proved contentious with players, supporters and managers, with a survey of GPA members revealing 90% opposition to the measure among players.
The rule will be not implemented in tomorrow's FBD Insurance and McKenna Cup finals.
Following decision made at Central Council today, and in agreement with the two counties, Connacht GAA have agreed that only the four new rules as approved will be used in tomorrow's FBD Insurance final. The proposed handpass rule will not be used in tomorrow's final.
— Connacht GAA (@ConnachtGAA) January 19, 2019
While the handpass rule has been scrapped, the four other rules trialled during pre-season - the offensive/defensive mark, the 20m kickout, the mandatory forward sideline kick outside the 13m and the sin bin - will apply during the 2019 Allianz League.
Meanwhile, in the Allianz Leagues, tickets for matches in Divisions 1 and 2 in football and for games in Divisions 1A and 1B in hurling will increase by €3 from €12 to €15 when pre-purchased before match day.
A special buy early offer remains in place and pre-purchased tickets will be 25% cheaper than tickets bought on the day of the game which will cost €20 for adults.
Admission for students and senior citizens will be €15.
In Allianz Leagues Divisions 3 and 4 in football, and Divisions 2 and 3 in hurling, the admission prices will remain unchanged at €10 and €5.
Juveniles Under 16 will be admitted free to Allianz Leagues games – except where matches are all-ticket, where the admission will be €5.
Tickets for this year’s GAA All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals will increase by €10 to €90 for stand tickets and by €5 for Hill 16 tickets to €45.
There will be a €5 increase for tickets to All-Ireland senior hurling and football semi-finals and will cost €50 for the stands and €35 for the terraces. There are no changes to the prices of All-Ireland quarter finals tickets.
Admission to the GAA All-Ireland football qualifiers will increase from €15 to €20 for Rounds 1,2 & 3 and will increase from €20 to €25 for Round 4.
This represents the first major review of Championship ticket prices since 2011.
The GAA also reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that all revenue generated from the Allianz Leagues will be redistributed directly back out to every county. A national pool will ensure that counties in lower tiers with smaller crowds are accommodated via the national pool.
