The GAA will turn their attention in the months ahead to finding an acceptable means of distributing the Irish Sports Council funds to intercounty players.

That was the agreement reached by Saturday's meeting of Central Council, which accepted the players' awards scheme, as negotiated by the GAA, Gaelic Players Association and the Government.

In what was described as "a very good debate", the in camera meeting heard reassurances that the association's amateur status would not be affected by the scheme. The carefully worded statement that followed the meeting reflected this emphasis.

"Arising out of the unanimous decision of Ard Chomhairle at its meeting in February 2007 to authorise negotiations on the issue of government awards to GAA players, Ard Chomhairle now approves, in principle, the agreement reached in November 2007- subject to the establishment of an acceptable, centralised system for disbursement of funding. Recognising a concern expressed at various levels of the association, Ard Chomhairle agrees that disbursement will not be made directly through county boards and that details of a centralised system for disbursement, when finalised, will be presented to Ard Chomhairle for approval."

Confidence remains high in the GAA hierarchy that an acceptable system of disbursement can be agreed, which will mollify those who believe that for county boards to write the cheques, regardless of the source of the funding, would be an infringement of amateur status.

Opposition to the scheme, based on the principle it is a breach of the amateur status provisions, has been largely defused, although initial indications are that those opposing the scheme aren't overly impressed by the clarification.

The GAA will however propose an amendment to the agreement with the Government and GPA, whose chief executive Dessie Farrell was present on Saturday in his capacity as a delegate. It reads: "All parties recognise that the GAA is an amateur association and state their absolute commitment to the maintenance of the amateur status of the association. They state that nothing in this agreement shall be allowed to undermine the amateur status of Gaelic games."

It is believed the Government and Irish Sports Council, who are gate keepers of the scheme, are unlikely to have any difficulty with this amendment nor with any variation in the means of distributing the money as long as the conditions of the agreement are observed and the payment of the awards audited.

Liam O'Neill, chairman of the disciplinary task force, and the GAA's director of games, Pat Daly, made a presentation on proposals for change in respect of playing rules. Among the changes proposed was the abolition of the practice of ticking to be replaced by a system that will see players dismissed but replaced for certain infractions, such as rough play and unsporting behaviour.

Delegates decided necessary decisions and rule alterations will take place at the annual congress in April. The special congress to consider reports on club fixtures and the work of the Burnout Task Force were also briefly discussed on Saturday.

Incoming director general Páraic Duffy's appointment was unanimously ratified at Saturday's meeting. He will take over from Liam Mulvihill next February.

Meanwhile, Derry chair Séamus McCloy has been extremely critical of the television coverage allocated to club matches. In his address at yesterday's county convention he took issue with the GAA coverage of both local broadcasters. "The coverage of the Derry championship by both the BBC and UTV is appalling . . . Both TV stations showed quick clips of the county finals. For some reason, they both seem perfectly content to show lingering coverage of other games, apparently oblivious to the empty stands so pitifully displayed in the background. They provide minimal services for the thousands who attend Gaelic games."