The annual GAA Congress is taking place at the moment and the first six motions up for contention, have been passed.
The motions which have been accepted so far, relate to issues such as betting on GAA games, allowing the GPA to put a maximum of one motion to Congress, and abolishing replays except in the case of provincial and All-Ireland finals.
The football and hurling All-Ireland finals will also be brought forward, meaning that they will be played on or before the last Sunday in August.
But there is one motion which has sparked fury in GAA players across Ireland.
Motion 4 proposed the idea of introducing a group stage to replace All-Ireland football quarter-finals. The controversial proposal, which became known as the 'Super 8' structure in the build-up to the Congress, would see the eight teams divided into two groups of four.
The Club Players Association (CPA) and Gaelic Players Association (GPA) both voiced their opposition at this proposal, but it had the support of a number of county delegates, thus resulting in it being passed by an overwhelming with a 76% majority of the votes.
GAA players past and present have been expressing their disgust on social media:
Can't be bothered following Congress updates after super 8 is passed. 2021 before club players can get a fair deal, depressing thought.
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) February 25, 2017
Total disregard shown to club players with super 8 decision. Hope to see a strong response from @ClubPlayerAssoc and @gaelicplayers
— Darach Honan (@TheDuck90) February 25, 2017
The biggest thing that came out today is the massive gap between the players and the delegates that supposedly represent them. #super8 #💰💰💰
— sean mc veigh (@mcveigh_sean) February 25, 2017
-"Any interest in a #Super8 competition lads?"
-"Ah no, wouldn't be great for the game to be honest"
-"Great. It starts next year"— Alan Cronin (@AlanCroninjnr) February 25, 2017
Disappointing to realise in the modern day that players opinions count for absolutely nothing in how our own games are run #Super8
— Dean Ryan (@DeanRyan4) February 25, 2017
All Ireland finals in August...super 8's before that, provincial championships before that, league before that...club anyone #Congress2017
— Tom Kenny (@tomken81) February 25, 2017
What player wants to play 3 games @Qtr final stage? #super8 =More big games for fans and GAA, BUT loses the appeal of pure knockout football
— Kevin Reilly (@kevreilly1) February 25, 2017
Super 8 is in!What a load of shite...More games to delay club champs, more money for GAA, would they not just do a Super 32 altogether
— Robbie Kiely (@robbiek6) February 25, 2017
If @gaelicplayers renounce super 8 like the CPA yet Congress votes it in, can we call the @officialgaa a truly democratic body?#walkthetalk
— Micheal Briody (@michealbriody) February 22, 2017
Congress & it's delegates are detached from reality. They're being conned by the commercial arm that now runs the GAA. So sad. #elitism
— Michael Duignan (@DuignanMichael) February 25, 2017
RIP club football #congress
— Joe McMahon (@Bigjoemc) February 25, 2017
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