The GAA'S annual congress got off to a lively start last night with an attack on the "perceived" remuneration of team managers. The matter was raised in the annual report of Director General Liam Mulvihill and discussed at a workshop yesterday afternoon.

In last night's debate on the floor, Tommy Kennoy, a former Roscommon chairman vigorously condemned the practice and he was supported by Cork's Brian Barrett.

"Amateur regulations are being flouted by clubs in relation to outside managers," said Kennoy. "And there is a growing tension between the substantial remuneration managers are seen to be getting and the lot of players on 14 and 15 pence a mile.

"Then they are asked to sweat their guts out on the training field and perform on the field in games while managers are being paid. Either we enforce the rules or legislate for the new world."

It wasn't the only controversy on the subject of amateurism. Disquiet was also expressed at the plans to appoint four new senior managers to headquarters in Croke Park.

Earlier, concern had been expressed at the size of sponsors' logos on county jerseys. At the GAA's Central Council meeting last night, Liam Mulvihill said that he had discovered all counties to be in breach of the regulations governing the permitted dimensions.

When the GAA asked all counties to submit a replica of their county jerseys for the Croke Park museum, it was discovered that of the 30 counties who have sponsorship agreements, all featured logos in excess of the stipulated regulations.

The matter was raised by Dublin delegate Gerry Brady who asked what was the procedure for regulating the matter. Amidst a consensus that the matter should be tackled, president Joe McDonagh asked that the matter be left with the Management Committee.

Central Council was meeting on the first day of the GAA's annual congress which takes place this weekend in Dublin's Burlington hotel. It promises to be one of the more important annual congresses. This afternoon, the election of a new president takes place. The successful candidate will succeed Joe McDonagh next year.

In addition a comprehensive review of the GAA's disciplinary rules is proposed on the motions' list. The main provisions are listed (see panel) and are designed to refine disciplinary measures on the pitch and expedite procedures in the committee room.

There are two motions covering all the proposals. One, motion 15, concerns those rules which can be changed permanently and will require a two thirds majority. The other, motion 16, concerns playing rules which can only be changed every five years and therefore must be accepted on an experimental basis this year. A simple majority will suffice for this.

Monaghan's Sean McCague is considered favourite in the presidential election. He was runner-up to McDonagh three years ago and has been the front-runner since. Former Leinster chairman Albert Fallon is perceived as the main challenger with former Munster chairman Noel Walsh seen as the outsider.

Walsh's second preferences will be vital as there isn't expected to be much between Fallon and McCague after the first count.

For the first time, the election will be conducted according to the rules of PRSTV - the single transferable vote system of proportional representation. This replaces the old system of serial balloting when a new vote was taken after each successive elimination.

The change may counter the stampede syndrome, whereby voters flock to the stronger-looking candidate as the votes unfold. Discussion on the disciplinary motions is expected to be taken early in order to concentrate fresh minds. Whereas recent bad publicity in relation to violent incidents on the playing fields makes it likely the proposals will receive a sympathetic hearing, overall success cannot be guaranteed.

The centralising of disciplinary arrangements and the appointment of referees for intercounty championship matches would diminish the power of the provincial councils and such a transfer will not meet with universal approval. Already, new Leinster chairman Seamus Aldridge - a former referee - has expressed reservations.