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At Friday's opening session of the Annual Congress in Killarney, a large majority of the 300 delegates voted not to revisit the issue later this year.

Despite the decision, the contentious Rule 42 issue is expected to be debated at next year's Annual Congress.

GAA president Sean Kelly is in favour of the historic rule being deleted.

Kelly said "a root and branch analysis of the Association's rules" would allow the issue to be debated next year.

Eight counties submitted motions to this year's Congress calling for the effective removal of Rule 42 but their proposals were ruled out of the order by the GAA's hierarchy on technical grounds.

This led to a lot of anger with liberal elements within the GAA but the GAA president appealed for unity on Friday evening.

"I accept that this is an emotive issue and that people hold strong views for various reasons on the subject," said Kelly.

"I fully accept that everybody involved in this debate acted as they saw it, in the only way they could, in the interests of the association.

"I ask here that they extend their loyalty and support to the Association by forgiving any hurt or disappointment experienced and by leaving here united."