At Croke Park this morning, 76% of GAA Congress voted in favour of Motion 4 - a major change to the structure of the All-Ireland Football Championship.
In place of the quarter-finals, from 2018, will be a group stage. Two groups of four will compete for places in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
At congress, just two of 15 speakers spoke against the proposal - Cork GAA and the GPA.
The latter, the players' representative body, this week came out strongly in opposition against the proposal.
Many players have reacted angrily to the news.
Podge Collins, who has played both hurling and football for Clare, was particularly irate.
Earlier this week, Collins called the 'Super 8' proposal 'farcical'.
Former Donegal football Eamon McGee and others were also in opposition with the main gripe being that the majority of players were against the Super 8 idea.
Absolute joke about super8, all down to money and the GAAs greed. Money rules a voluntary organiation #GAAcongress17 #gaa
— Ian Ryan (@ianryano89) February 25, 2017
-"Any interest in a #Super8 competition lads?"
-"Ah no, wouldn't be great for the game to be honest"
-"Great. It starts next year"— Alan Cronin (@AlanCroninjnr) February 25, 2017
Disappointing to realise in the modern day that players opinions count for absolutely nothing in how our own games are run #Super8
— Dean Ryan (@DeanRyan4) February 25, 2017
The turkeys have voted for Christmas at Congress today! First steps on the road to professionalism. Don't worry about the rest #super8
— Brian Carroll (@BrianCarroll13) February 25, 2017
Players can't stand half what their county boards do or try yet it's them who speak on behalf of players at congress #mindboggling
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) February 25, 2017
Can't be bothered following Congress updates after super 8 is passed. 2021 before club players can get a fair deal, depressing thought.
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) February 25, 2017
70% of players rejected #Super8 proposal, 76% of delegates supported it. Theres a serious disconnect here.... #GAAcongress17
— Kevin Reilly (@kevreilly1) February 25, 2017
What player wants to play 3 games @Qtr final stage? #super8 =More big games for fans and GAA, BUT loses the appeal of pure knockout football
— Kevin Reilly (@kevreilly1) February 25, 2017
Super 8 is in!What a load of shite...More games to delay club champs, more money for GAA, would they not just do a Super 32 altogether
— Robbie Kiely (@robbiek6) February 25, 2017
How dare players have an opinion! Hurling now a sideshow and so much for developing weaker counties. https://t.co/LTQaRd969o
— Hugh Paddy O'Byrne (@hughpad) February 25, 2017
Not all players were negative regarding the motion's passing.
Democracy wins out. Huge credit to all those who put in effort over last number of YEARS to make these changes happen #GAAcongress17
— D Clerkin (@clerkin_d) February 25, 2017
New football structure comfortably passed (76%). Some potential great match-ups around the country in the next 3 years! #GAACongress2017
— Barry Cahill (@barrycahilldub) February 25, 2017
There has also been plenty of negativity regarding the new format from the media.
Super 8 passed: the players of Ireland, both club & county are blatantly ignored by their delegates, it's some set-up they've got going #GAA
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) February 25, 2017
A pro league with 10 or 12 franchises is the way GAA will go. Super 8s will make millions - along with club mess, that makes it inevitable.
— Paul Fitzpatrick (@moefitzpatrick) February 25, 2017
This poxy Super 8 idea is going to pass without a word about the damage it's going to do the hurling. The one and a half sport organisation.
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) February 25, 2017
Pathetic by @officialgaa. Appointed administators going against entire playing body. Should be ashamed, if they had any shame.
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) February 25, 2017
Members in shock as, money making obsessed organisation, makes decision based on making even more money. #gaa #GAACongress17 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰
— Donn O'Sullivan (@DonnOSullivan) February 25, 2017
The GAA is nothing without players. How a motion opposed by players at all levels can be passed is a new departure. Interesting times ahead.
— Liam Aherne (@laherne84) February 25, 2017
The disconnect between the GAA top brass and the lads who tog out in the muck in February is just staggering #GAA #GAACongress17
— Derrick Lynch (@DLynchSport) February 25, 2017
'Super 8' proposal announced on August 4. GPA wait until February 22 to oppose it when nearly all units had already decided. #GAAcongress17
— Pat Nolan (@pat_nolan) February 25, 2017
