There is sure to be lively debate at the GAA's annual congress in Cavan later this month as a black card in hurling and opening up all county grounds to other sports are amongst the contentious motions that will be put to the floor.

A total of 65 motions, including the well-publicised recommendations from the Hurling 2020 Committee, will go before Congress.

There is also motion to delete Rule 3.8, which was passed only last year, to introduce a clock/hooter system as the method of timekeeping at all senior championship matches from April.

The Irish Times reports that GAA chiefs have explained their u-turn on that by saying they identified at least six potential problems including teams "fouling down the clock" and an increase in "negative possession" when the system was trialled.

The Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan will host Congress on February 27-28 when the Breffni County's Aogán Ó Fearghail will take over the GAA's Presidency reins from Liam O'Neill.

Here are some of the stand-out motions ...

Motion 1-2

(European GAA): To allow for the black card in hurling, by deleting "in football" only, and thereby also increasing the number of substitutes permitted in hurling to six.

Motion 5

(Tipperary): To play extra-time in all championship matches, not just All-Ireland qualifiers, thereby reducing the need for replays.

Motion 6

(Clare): To increase the diameter size of the sliotar to 85-88mm (from 69-72mm) and the mass to 150-160mm (from 110-120mm), thereby reducing the likely travel distance.

Motion 13

(Cavan/Tyrone/Fermanagh/North US Board): To allow for a player who receives a serious blow to the head, and a suspected concussion, be replaced by a temporary substitution - similar to the blood sub rule - with that player only returning to the field if the suspected concussion proves negative.

Motion 16

(Clare): To reduce the number of consecutive fist/hand passes to two, with the next move being a kick of the ball.

Motion 19

(Tipperary): To reduce the number of steps by the player in possession of the ball from four to three.

Motion 21-24

(Hurling 2020 Committee): To allow for only one defender (the goalkeeper) on the goal line for the taking of penalties in hurling.

Motion 22

(Hurling 2020 Committee): To introduce the advantage rule, similar to football, giving the fouled player the right to continue to play for five seconds after the foul has been committed.

Motion 23

(Hurling 2020 Committee): To allow for a player sent off on a second yellow card in hurling to be replaced.

Motion 24

(Hurling 2020 Committee): To allow for the winners of the Christy Ring Cup to be automatically promoted to the following year's provincial competition.

Motion 27

(Central Council): To delete rule 3.8, introduced last year, to use a public time clock/hooter in all senior football and hurling championship matches.

Motion 28

(Central Council): To further amend the so-called closed season rules, defining collective training as "where one or more players are asked to be at a specific time on a specific date", while also relaxing the closed season for under-21 football from January 1st to December, with the penalty for any senior breaches in the rule being the forfeiture of the home venue in the Allianz League.

Motion 29

(Central Council): To demand that all senior intercounty teams of 26 (15 players, plus 11 replacements) be registered by 9am on the Thursday before a weekend game, with no additions or amendments, with the exception of the goalkeeper/sub goalkeeper, the penalty for breach of which will be a sideline ban for the manager and/or €1,000 fine.

Motion 50-54

(Minor Review Committee): To raise the eligibility of adult club players from over 16 to over 17, and for intercounty from over 16 to over 18, and also at under-21 intercounty level to over 18 (thereby prohibiting minors from playing under-21).

Motion 52

(Minor Review Committee): To get rid of the All-Ireland quarter-finals in the minor football championship.

Motion 57

(Clare): To give Central Council the power to authorise the use of Croke Park and all county grounds for games other than those controlled by the Association.

Motion 62

(Leinster Council/Longford/Carlow): To allow each province to organise their provincial competition as agreed by each provincial council.

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