Colleges and universities will be allowed to participate in club championships for at least the next three years after delegates at GAA congress voted against a motion brought by Athenry GAA to prevent them from taking part.
The motion was overwhelmingly rejected and cannot be brought in front of congress for three years because the yes vote failed to reach on third of the ballot.
A motion, proposed by Kildare GAA, for an amendment to the blood substitute rule was passed after the controversy that surrounded a replacement in a Lily Whites game against Offaly in the Leinster semi-final last year.
From now on the injured player can now only return as a replacement for the original blood substitute.
In his address to congress GAA President Nickey Brennan mooted the idea of a new all-seater, floodlight municipal stadium for Dublin.
This would "cater for some national competitions, schools and college games ... and the ever-growing population areas in the commuter belts in Meath, Louth and Kildare," said Brennan.
He added that the possibility of roofing the stadium "should also be explored."
Brennan expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing talks with the Gaelic Players' Association, but criticised the Government for their delayed response to the player welfare document which was jointly submitted by the GPA and GAA a fortnight ago.
Brennan told congress that the bleak outlook he once held on the future of hurling had now dissipated.
"I firmly believe that the hurling vista has changed dramatically at grass roots level and that the seeds sown will flower in the years ahead," said Brennan.
"Never in the history of our association has so much effort, expertise and finance been committed to hurling. Records show that more people are playing hurling at this time than ever before and there has been a definite improvement in overall and general standards.
"In addition, the three-tier inter-county championship structures has been a great success."