This year's All Star footballers and hurlers will each pocket €1,500 after the GAA and GPA's decisions merged their award schemes into on for Friday, October 21.

The development will also see the player of the year in each code picking up a cheque for €5,000, while each of the 10 players of the month (five in each code - May to September) will receive €1,000.

GAA President Christy Cooney pointed out yesterday that the money isn't a payment and therefore doesn't defy the rules of the Association.

"It's around image rights and promotion of our players and we're happy to support that," said Mr Cooney.

On the night, the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher players of the year will be announced at Dublin's Convention Centre, as well as the winners of the young footballer and hurler of the year award.

This year's All Star tour, which sees the 2011 hurling selection take on that of 2010, will travel to San Francisco in late November.