Sunday's NFL final at Clones will see the introduction of the GAA's new sideline regulations. The new code was due to be introduced for this year's championship, but will take effect immediately as St Tiernach's is one of the venues that has already completed the structural work necessary to restrict access to the sidelines.

This means that substitutes and selectors will be restricted to a special zone in the stand with the dugout accessible only to the team manager, doctor, physio and a county official.

Managers will be allocated a stand seat beside their selectors and panel members, but will also be allowed on to the sideline.

The new arrangements are a response to the crowded scenes on the line where dozens of people can mill around as matches take place.

GAC chairman Paraic Duffy said: "The situation needed clearing up and we think this will be effective. We don't think the public will notice a major difference in the conduct of matches, but the potential for disorderly scenes has been curtailed."

Meanwhile, the GAC has confirmed that the Division Two NHL final between Laois and Antrim will take place as a curtain-raiser at Thurles to the Division One clash of Cork and Kilkenny.

Originally, the match had been scheduled for Navan, but when it became apparent that Semple Stadium would be the Division One venue, both Laois and Antrim expressed a wish to play there.

Although it is a stiff journey from the north, Antrim were particularly keen, as the county has had few opportunities to play at hurling's premier venue.

GAC officials had agreed that if the counties involved wished to go to Thurles, they would be accommodated.

Had Limerick rather than Kilkenny won last Sunday's semi-final the venue would have been Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, which would not have proved so popular with the Division Two finalists.

In a public statement, Leinster chairman Nicky Brennan has expressed concern that the counties participating in the first championship action of the year this weekend will be overshadowed by the National Football League finals fixed for next Sunday.

Carlow, Meath, Wicklow, Laois, Kildare and Westmeath are all involved in the preliminary rounds of the Leinster hurling championship and, by Monday, three of them will have finished their competitive year.

"They could exit with very little media or other attention being given to them," he said.

"It is unfortunate that the success of this year's National Leagues and the excitement and publicity they are generating should mean that attention is directed away from the teams competing in the early games of the Leinster hurling championship.

"These county teams and their management have put in enormous time and effort in the hope of furthering their chances in the championship and this warrants due recognition."

Already one of the matches, Wicklow-Laois, has been brought forward to accommodate Laois supporters who want to see the Division Two football final.

Meanwhile, the GAA have begun giving tours of Croke Park. The tours, which will last about an hour, will take in the key areas of the stadium.

Much of it will comprise of behind-the-scenes insights into match days, including the players' entrance, team dressing-rooms and the tunnel up to the pitch. The tour will also be brought to the sideline and will be told about the new pitch being laid at the moment.

Tours will not run on match days and may be restricted on other days.