THE GAA president, Jack Boothman, yesterday poured cold water on any suggestion that the association might be about to open up Croke Park to all other sports. Responding to a report in a Sunday newspaper concerning a possible £20 million Government offer to the GAA for other sports to be played at headquarters, Boothman said that he was not aware of any such offer and added that the GAA "would, not put profit before policy".

It was about the only serious note Boothman struck in an otherwise humorous speech at the GAA's reception in Dublin for the All Ireland football finalists.

The GAA's Games Administration Committee (GAC) have a number of items to unravel following Sunday's drawn senior game. A major question being asked is what will the curtain raiser be for the replayed final on September 29th?

The chairman of the GAC, Sean O'Leary, says there are a range of options open. The women's All Ireland football final between Laois and Monaghan is fixed for Croke Park on the same day, but it seems that a more likely option is the replay of the All Ireland minor hurling final between Tipperary and Galway.

There is also the possibility that one of the B football championship quarter final ties might fill this role.

The women's All Ireland football, final could yet be postponed for a week. The Ireland Scotland shinty internationals at under 21 and senior level are also arranged for the weekend of the replay.

"These things cannot be decided `just hey presto'. The logistical aspects have to be examined," said O'Leary.

It's obvious that any possibility of easing the ticket problem for the replay would relate to the choice of curtain raiser.

Should the minor hurling final be refixed for Sunday week instead of this coming weekend in Ennis, an allocation of tickets would have to be made for Tipperary and Galway.

Both Meath and Mayo will be back in training this evening. Liam McHale, last Sunday's "man of the match" said that the Mayo squad will be returning to the beach at Enniscrone for an eight mile run this evening.

"Then it will be back to football on Thursday, with another four sessions to follow on. It's like being in limbo for the squad," he said, "but a draw is better than a loss. In basketball it's different, no draws - I remember playing in an international once that went to six periods of extra time.

McHale said Mayo had "to regain tunnel vision again. I have no doubt that we can win the replay. I am satisfied that we played well on Sunday and fought hard, even though Meath may feel better than us with the draw."

Two members of the Mayo squad, Kevin O'Neill and Dermot Flanagan, have had to cancel holidays abroad, as has county chairman Father Noel Forde, who was due to travel to the United States next week.

The Mayo county final between Knockmore and Ballina has also gone by the board. It is put back to October fifth. Involved are Ray Dempsey, O'Neill, McHale, David Brady and Peter Butler.

Mayo manager, John Maughan said that he was neither satisfied nor disappointed with Sunday's draw. "You can't be emotional at a time like this. Our heads are high, and having to wait another two weeks after 45 years makes no difference. We will work away in the meantime, tactics mainly, we are hardly going to improve any more on our fitness levels.

"Winning the Munster title with Clare was like winning an All Ireland final. I won't be able to compare with it until we win the replay," concluded Maughan.

Sean Boylan said that the reason why his team did not perform as well as in the semifinal against Tyrone was "because we were not allowed to". He added: "We will have to discover the real cause for dropping six points behind when we go back into training."

Boylan and McHale were at one in recalling their feelings at the final whistle. "Relief," said Boylan. "I was very glad to hear it," smiled McHale.

Mayo goalkeeper John Madden was still prepared to talk about the controversial point awarded to Meath's Brendan Reilly on Sunday. Madden disputed the score so strongly and was given a warning by the referee.

"I am not cribbing about it but I really feel it was wide. Had the post been a little higher the ball would have hit off it," said Madden.

From where I stood I always felt confident behind our players. Meath began to break down midfield ball in the last quarter but I thought we fairly dominated for 70 minutes. Meath must be handed credit though for making a number of shrewd changes, particularly by bringing on Colm Brady."

Liam Mulvihill, the director general of the GAA, said he thought it was a poor match, and Boothman said it was the most publicised final he has ever experienced. He complimented the minor teams of Laois - who won their first minor All Ireland - and Kerry for an excellent game. "To win your first All Ireland is a dream, but to win it against Kerry is a special type of dream," said Boothman.

Laois PRO Jack Nolan was happy to report that his county's minor team "were travelling home on the same bus that was used for Michelle Smith's homecoming.

"We will be going for a mixed double when our women's team take on Monaghan," said Nolan.

Wexford's Eamonn Scallan, who was sent off in the All Ireland hurling final, has been asked to appear before the GAC's meeting on September 24.

. Tipperary have been forced to delay naming their team for the All Ireland minor hurling final replay against Galway at Ennis on Sunday because of injuries.

The selectors had planned to announce their team at the weekend but are concerned about injuries to Thomas Costelloe and Declan Maher. The team will be named after training in Thurles tonight.

. The announcement of the manager of the Tipperary senior hurling team is expected later this week. Though, Tipperary officials are remaining tight lipped about the choice of manager, the executive of the County Board was last night putting the finishing touches to proposals which it will put to the County Board later this week.