The introduction of the mark will come into effect at the beginning of next year having already been trialled in Higher Education matches.
From January 1st, the rule will be enforced and will be used during all National League games through to the Club Championships and All-Ireland series over the summer.
According to GAA.ie, the exact rule will read: "When a player catches the ball cleanly from a kick-out without it touching the ground, on or past the 45m line nearest the kick-out point, he shall be awarded a 'Mark' by the Referee. The player awarded a 'Mark' shall have the options of (a) Taking a free kick or (b) Playing on immediately".
Motion 41 to allow the mark to be introduced passed through Congress in February of this year after reaching the two-thirds majority needed to be instated.
Elsewhere, the GAA have also confirmed a 2017 'Fixtures Masterplan' for the upcoming year following their Central Council meeting last Saturday.
They have agreed the following points:
- "On a pilot basis in 2017, the Allianz League hurling quarter-finals and semi-finals will finish on the day the games are played avoiding the need for replays. If games in these competitions are level after two separate periods of extra time have been played, the outcome will be decided by a free-taking competition.
- "No semi-finals will be played in the Allianz Football League
- "The finals of the Allianz Football Leagues and the Division 1 Hurling League final will be played a fortnight earlier than they have been heretofore thus freeing up additional time for club programmes.
- "A special U17 competition will be organised in 2017 to address the cross-over from U18 minor competitions to U17 in 2018. Like the Allianz Hurling league quarter and semi-finals, games in these competitions will finish on the day."
They also announced details of the return of the International Rules Series next year, which will be held in Australia.
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