The March meeting of Central Council in Dublin is likely to make a decision
on the restoration of the International Rules series between Ireland and
Australia.
The series was put in cold storage after violent incidents marked the 2006
meetings between the two countries but exploratory talks in relation to the
possible rekindling of the sporting link between them have already been held.
And now GAA president Nickey Brennan says that ultimately it is the
responsibility of the counties and clubs to decide on the fate of the
International Rules series.
Documents have been drawn up by the GAA and the AFL proposing a resurrection
of the hybrid game with a number of major changes, and the association
president says clubs will decide the future of the series over the next few
weeks.
"It is our wish now that counties will look at the document. First of
all, I hope that they push their emotions aside and look at the document.
"It would be the view of the party that travelled to Dubai to negotiate
a re-launch that there is a strong basis there for reconnecting the series,
but ultimately we will accept whatever Central Council decides at our March
meeting," says Brennan.
Former Derry player Anthony Tohill was part of the delegation that went to
Dubai and he is optimistic that the series will resume.
But it would appear that there are a number of issues still to be ironed out
before the series is re-born, not least those assurances in relation to
discipline and its administration.
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