Motion 4 regarding the All Ireland Senior Football Championship was passed at GAA Congress.
There will be a new format for the All Ireland Football Championship between 2018 and 2020.
Following a 40 minute debate at Congress the motion to introduce a Group Stage for the All-Ireland quarter-finals -which would see the eight teams divided into two groups of four - was carried with 76% of the delegates voting in favour of the proposal.
Niall Eskrine (Coiste Bainisti), Michael Larkin (Galway), Diarmuid O'Donovan (Cork), Francis Flynn (Meath), John Prenty (Connacht), Sean McHale (Mayo), Padraig McSharry (Monaghan), Patrick Moynagh (Middle East), Tony Bass (Europe) all spoke at Croke Park.
Before the voting process GAA Árd Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy said: "Irish society is changing very fast. We have to be aware of that and we have to adapt to that. Falling attendances is an issue we have to address. We have to try something.
"What have we got to lose by passing this motion? The answer is nothing. All we're asking you is to give an idea a trial run. Nothing that is done here today cannot be undone. What are we afraid of? We have nothing to lose, but we could have a lot to gain. Lets have the confidence in ourselves that could rejuvenate the Football Championship."
When the votes were cast 76% opted that Rule 6.28 (A) be temporarily set aside in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to allow the following format be the subject of experimentation in the Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Cillian O Connor kicked the equalising point in the drawn 2016 All Ireland SFC Final.
The groupings in year one (2018) will be as follows.
Group 1 – Munster provincial winner, Connacht provincial winner, Ulster runner-up or team that defeats them in round 4 of the Qualifiers, Leinster runner-up or team that defeats them in round 4.
Group 2 – Ulster provincial winner, Leinster provincial winner, Munster runner-up or team that defeats them in round 4 for the Qualifiers, Connacht runner-up or team that defeats them in round 4.
The groups in the succeeding years would be determined by Central Council. Each team will play one home match, one away match, and one match at Croke Park.
In the All-Ireland semi-finals, the Group 1 Quarter-Final winner will play the Group 2 Quarter-Final runner-up, and the Group 2 Quarter-Final winner will play the Group 1 Quarter-Final runner-up.
The All-Ireland semi-finals would both be played over the one weekend.
It was also decided that Rule 6.31 be temporarily set aside in 2018, 2019, and 2020 meaning the All Ireland Finals in both Gaelic Football and Hurling will be played in August in those years.
78% of delegates voted in favour of ensuring the All Ireland Finals will be played on or before the last Sunday in August on dates determined by the Central Council. In exceptional circumstances, the Central Council may make other arrangements.
Rule 3.5 will also be temporarily set aside during a three year spell between 2018 and 2020 - extra time will be obligatory in the event of a Championship draw with the exception of
(i) All Ireland Finals (Sam Maguire and Liam McCarthy Cups only) and the Provincial Finals, in which Replays shall apply
(ii) 'Round Robin' Group Games, in which the provision as in Rule 6.21 (4) (a) shall apply (i.e one 'table point' credited to each team)