Brennan and AFL chief set to meet in Paris

The future of the International Rules series with Australia could effectively be decided at a meeting in a Paris hotel this day week.

GAA president Nickey Brennan yesterday confirmed the date with his Australian counterpart, Andrew Demetriou, in Paris next Thursday, the AFL president being in France for the Rugby World Cup, and unless he is convinced of a complete change of attitude by the Australians, Brennan will walk away from further discussions, at least for the foreseeable future.

Brennan also made it clear rather than going into the meeting with an open mindset, he is going in looking for his mind to be changed - and that Demetriou can somehow convince him the series does have a future, with no chance of a repeat of the violent scenes which marred the second Test in Croke Park this time last year.

"I haven't spoken with Andrew on this since the scenario last year," said Brennan. "We have communicated by letter, formally putting our annoyance. But my own view on it is quite clear. And we're going to be very strong on our attitude, and if we feel it's something they're very much prepared to embrace, the whole new concept, then maybe we can explore the series going forward.

"So essentially I want to explore whether or not there is going to be a change of mindset. But there's no point in saying we want to continue the series, because it's great, and all the interest, etc. that's not any good any more.

"There has to be a clear view, from myself, that in going over there, I'm seeing something different from the Australians, to tackle the underlying problems that have caused the series to be such a mess. And that means things like applying the rules better, the whole attitude to discipline, and how that can be done in such a way as to seriously punish people who are transgressors in this area.

"There also has to be a change in the mindset of winning the series at all costs. I accept there is competition, and pride in wanting to win. There is nothing wrong with that. But not to the extent where it brings the whole game down to a level that is unacceptable."

Brennan will be accompanied to the meeting by the GAA's Player Welfare Officer Paraic Duffy, and while they will take their feelings on the meeting back to Central Council, Brennan has made it clear he's only cautiously open to persuasion.

"We won't get into the absolute specifics, like the nitty-gritty of the rules. That will only come if we feel we can take it somewhere. Otherwise I will walk away, absolutely. Though we'll come back to Central Council on December 8th, and they'll make the decision where the series goes from here."

Brennan also indicated he was likely to raise the matter of the ongoing recruitment of young GAA footballers to AFL clubs, possibly even suggesting the compensation of GAA clubs for the loss of such players.

"It may be worth asking, because the clubs have made huge investments in these players, and they're the ones I feel particularly sorry about."