By John Harrington

The GAA today published its Master Fixture Schedule for 2019.

There will be no major changes in the Allianz Leagues because 2019 is Year 2 of a two-year cycle.

It is worth noting though that the AFL Round 6 and AHL semi-finals will take place on Saturday, March 16 to avoid a clash with the All-Ireland Club Finals on St. Patrick's Day.

In an effort to further streamline the playing calendar, the 2019 Sigerson Cup Final will now take place mid-week on Wednesday, February 20th

Once again the month of April will be a club month entirely clear of inter-county activity.

One potential change to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship for 2019 has been a request to Central council to consider granting deviation from Rule 6.28 to allow for Phase 1 quarter-finals to be home games for the provincial champions with Phase 2 games being in Croke Park.

For 2019, CCCC recommends to Central Council that in accordance with Rule 6.28 that the groupings for the 2018 Quarter-Final Group Stage should be as follows:

Group 1: Munster winners, Ulster winners, Leinster runners up (or Rd 4 winner), Connacht runners-up (or Rd 4 winner)

Group 2: Leinster winners, Connacht winners, Munster runners-up (or Rd 4 winner), Ulster runners-up (or Rd 4 winner)

The CCCC has proposed an U-20 Football Development League competition to be played in May and early June which would guarantee each county at least four games in a development league plus one championship match.

Challenge games would not be permitted, they would be replaced by the development league. Central Council have also been saked to consider a motion to Congress to allow players to be eligible for U-20 once their senior team has exited the All-Ireland Championship.

Central Council has also been asked to facilitate a motion to Congress to replace replace frees with penalties for 'winner on the day' deciders.

The 2019 Master Fixtures Schedule can be viewed below.