New GAA rules and amendments passed at last month’s congress will not be implemented until Saturday April 11th, an association statement has revealed.

The new rules were supposed to come into force next Saturday, four weeks after the annual congress, however the Central Council has decided to defer the date of introduction in order to give players and officials more time to familiarise themselves with the changes.

This means they will come into force on the day of the Allianz League hurling relegation and promotion play-offs, and the first Division 1A football semi-final.

Among the new rules passed at congress was the introduction of a one-on-one penalty and advantage rule in hurling.