“There’s one statement in the document people would certainly support – that of condensing the fixture schedule, playing more games on weekends and shortening the gaps between games, but the proposal itself doesn’t seem to address this.

“You’re winding up with more games and the All-Ireland football final at the same time. You also run the risk of meaningless games or games open to abuse – results could be manipulated to determine who you play in an All-Ireland semi-final.

“The hurling year is being condensed – the All-Ireland hurling final would be played on August 21, a month before the football final. Why would a football document condense the hurling championship?

“Why also does it include the question of extra time in all games rather than replays? Replays are beneficial, not only from a financial viewpoint but also from a promotional viewpoint.”

Changing the All-Ireland football system so that the quarter-finals were played in a round-robin format would affect the running of club championships, according to chairman Ger Lane.

“If this goes through, realistically we couldn’t start our championships until August,” he said. “They’re talking about playing the All-Ireland hurling final on August 21, this is essentially a football document. It’s up to the counties to vote on what they like or what they don’t like.” Coaching officer Kevin O’Donovan made the point that, while there was some merit to the suggested changes, there was one glaring omission.

“I’d recommend everybody read the document, there are some super ideas in there,” he said. “The ‘but’ is the club player is only mentioned at the end, he should be on the front page. I think we should be proactive and put forward our own proposals, centred around the club player.

“We’re probably paying lip-service here tonight, where’s our own document? Until the club player is prioritised, I have no interest.”

With nobody speaking strongly in favour, Lane instructed Central Council delegate Bob Ryan to oppose the changes.

Lane also responded to criticism of Sunday’s county SHC final, when Glen Rovers beat Erin’s Own. “I thought that it was a tremendous final,” he said, “and it was disappointing to read in the media that the game was a reflection of where Cork are right now.

Meanwhile Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor have been ratified as the new joint-managers of the Clare senior hurling team. It is expected former Cork goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack, who operated in a coaching role under Fitzgerald, will remain in his post. Clare football manager Colm Collins was also confirmed in his job for the 2017 season.