Gaelic Games News round-up: Setanta Ó hAilpín has been called up into the Carlton senior panel for Saturday's match with Adelaide. The news is a tribute to the extraordinary progress the former Cork hurler has made since signing a full-time contract with the Australian Football League club last November, Seán Moran reports

He has been brought in to replace long-term injury absentee Anthony Franchina, who is out for eight weeks because of a fractured thumb.

On the Carlton website, www.carltonfc.com.au, Ó hAilpín reacted to the promotion. "I am thrilled to have been elevated and realise it is a small step and I have yet a lot of work ahead of me. Hard work has got me this far and harder work is ahead of me," he said of his elevation to what is known as the Primary List.

Club coach Denis Pagan expressed his astonishment at the Rookie List player's rapid development.

"This is an incredible effort by Setanta," he said. "In fact, considering his background he has no right to have made such remarkable progress in such a short space of time.

"His work ethic is outstanding and there is no doubt he will see this as another challenge in his desire to make it in the AFL.

"What makes Setanta an even greater asset for Carlton is the way he conducts himself off the field and the positive outlook he has and how beneficial this is to the rest of the playing group," he added.

That exemplary commitment could be seen at the club ground, Optus Oval, yesterday. Ó hAilpín spent nearly two hours of his day off with senior player Bret Thornton practising goal kicking.

Thornton also paid tribute to his rookie colleague.

"I still remember the first day he was here late last year at a morning training session. 'Carlos' (Ó hAilpín's nickname) did a couple of laps with us at the start of training and then spent a lot of time with the coaching staff kicking the football and generally getting the feel of the oval ball.

"He is always keen to learn and never misses an opportunity to practice and improve his skills."

Promotion is recognition of recent good form for Carlton feeder club Northern Bullants in the Victoria Football League. Ó hAilpín started the season in defence, but in recent matches he has played in the forward line, scoring 11 goals over the last two outings.

Meanwhile, the decision on a provincial venue for the autumn's International Rules series will be made shortly. On Sunday the Ireland team management and GAA officials will meet to discuss arrangements for the two Tests.

Casement Park has emerged as the favourite venue for the first Test, which, it was announced by GAA president Seán Kelly, will be played outside of Dublin for the first time since the international project began 20 years ago. This is despite the Belfast venue not having the most appealing spectator facilities, with a capacity of about 35,000, most of which is terracing.

But it is believed that public funds may be available to support the staging of international events in the northern city and that may ultimately sway the decision.

The new committee to investigate the functions of the Games Administration Committee has been named. It has been appointed on foot of a motion submitted by Tyrone and approved by Congress.

It will be chaired by Páraic Duffy, who headed the GAC during the Seán McCague presidency and who has been involved in piloting through a number of significant reforms, including the All-Ireland qualifier system and last year's new disciplinary package.

Other members are: Tony O'Keeffe, current chair of GAC; Jim Treacy, representative of Tyrone who sponsored the motion establishing the committee; Gerry Brady, former Dublin Central Council delegate; Pat Fitzgerald and Frank Murphy, the Cork county secretary.

Tickets for Sunday's Leinster SFC double bill at Croke Park will be on sale at the following outlets:

DUBLIN: Croke Park: Cusack Stand office: Today 11-7 pm, Friday 11-7 pm, Saturday 11-4 pm. Parnell Park: Today 9.30-7 pm, Friday 9.30-7 pm, Saturday 11-4 pm.

WESTMEATH: Newsfare newsagent, Athlone Shopping Centre, today and Friday, Gillivan's Moate, today and Friday.

KILDARE: Whelan's Menswear, Naas, today and Friday. St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, today 7.-8 pm, Friday 7-8 pm.

WEXFORD: Wexford Park, today, 9.30-12.30 pm and 2.30-4.30 pm, Friday 2.30-4.30 pm.