At a meeting of Central Council on 18 May 1996, the GAA decided to scrap winter league hurling for a two-year trial period.
It was also decided, by a margin of 23 votes to 15, to complete the National Hurling League within the calendar year.
After further negotiations the GAA decided to run the league on a March to October basis.
Other provisions included the playing of three matches in March, two in April and one each in May and June.
Play-offs to determine the standings of teams within the divisions were also abandoned in favour of using scoring averages.