Gaelic Games:GAA president Nickey Brennan, reflecting on a hugely successful weekend's championship action, has described the hurling season as the best in over a decade.

He was speaking at yesterday's Vodafone monthly awards, which for July went to Waterford hurler Dan Shanahan and Monaghan footballer Tommy Freeman, both of whom sustained disappointing defeats on Sunday.

Shanahan was unable to attend because of the funeral of Waterford hurling legend Tom Cheasty.

Limerick's victory in the weekend's All-Ireland semi-final and the fireworks it produced constituted another spectacular in what has been a thrilling season, with next month's final yet to come.

"This has been the greatest year, certainly since the mid-1990s, and the football hasn't been bad either," said Brennan. "The hurling has probably surpassed it this year, but not by a lot, and there are good football matches lined up for the semi-final. In terms of the overall programme this summer, it's been an incredible time for everybody."

Brennan also responded to criticisms of the championship format, centring on the recurrent pairings in the hurling championship, which saw the All-Ireland semi-finals ending up as reruns of provincial finals, and the possible disadvantage of provincial football champions coming into the All-Ireland series after long lay-offs compared to opponents coming through the qualifiers.

The president accepted some change was needed, but pointed out that finding a system that suits everyone is an impossibility.

"In the GAA we tend to want to revamp fairly regularly, so I'd be surprised if somebody doesn't come up with some proposals. But it's amazing that you put so much thought into motions going to Congress and so much discussion, and these things seem to get through.

"There's no doubt that people will want some changes, and probably some changes are desirable as well, certainly in some of the repeat games. What can be done about the provincial champions having such a long gap? That would be a more radical change to the football championship structures to make that happen."

He also drew attention to the fact next year's hurling championship would revive the same debate, given the Hurling Development Committee decision to grant automatic access to the All-Ireland semi-finals for the provincial champions.

"Bear in mind that next year it's proposed in the hurling to have the provincial champions going into the (All-Ireland) semi-finals. There would be a timing issue there as well. But counties vote for these things, and then when they see them in action some of them aren't happy. It's very hard to suit all of the people all of the time.

"Competitions are evolving all the time, so it's fair to say we haven't seen the last of the changes."

He also commented on a recent circular to counties concerning excessive celebration after scoring. The matter was in the public domain after the Leinster football final and the behaviour of Dublin players, but it has been a widespread problem.

Brennan made clear the circular wasn't aimed at Dublin.

"It was made quite clear at a recent refereeing seminar I attended that there were plenty of regulations in the rules for referees to take control of situations where players - and we weren't referring to Dublin - are over-exuberant or might be seen to be inflaming other people.

"That stipulation went out and was intended for everybody. It was said at the referring seminar, among a number of other issues, and I insisted that all county boards were informed so that they were under no illusion (but) that this was going to be addressed."

There will be a special congress in the autumn, although the date hasn't been finalised. On the agenda will be the report of the GAA's Player Welfare Officer, Páraic Duffy, on the club-county interface.

Duffy has made a presentation on the subject to the provinces and certain counties.

Counties have until the 24th of this month to formulate their thoughts and proposals based on the presentation.

Also up for discussion is likely to be the report of the GAA's burn-out sub-committee, which will bring its proposals to the special congress. The work of another sub-committee, to consider disciplinary procedures, will also be on the agenda.

Finally, according to Brennan, the International Rules series with Australia is likely to resume next year.

Talks with AFL officials are due to take place within the next couple of months and there is a sense of urgency about making the arrangements.

"The meeting's going to be in the autumn. We haven't a definite date, but we understand some of the AFL people may be coming to Europe in the autumn.

It probably is (going ahead), but clearly time is running out. I wouldn't exclude it at this stage, but autumn is the latest we could work on this because we have our own programme of events, which is our priority."