Dates set for Rules series

THE GAA have confirmed that both International Rules Tests with Australia later this year will take place on a Saturday evening under floodlights. The first Test is fixed for Saturday, October 24th, and the second a week later, October 31st.

It has also been agreed that only one of the Tests will take place in Croke Park, almost certainly on October 31st, with the opening Test going to a provincial venue yet to be decided.

Casement Park in Belfast has put in a bid to stage the game but the GAA are awaiting applications from all provincial venues before agreeing on which one to go with.

In 2006, when the series was last staged in Ireland, the opening Test was staged at Pearse Stadium in Galway on a Saturday evening, and the second at Croke Park the following Sunday afternoon.

GAA president Nickey Brennan met Australian Football League (AFL) chief Andrew Dimitriou last week to discuss the upcoming series, following its successful revival in Australia last October.

“We had a few follow-up matters from the last International Rules,” explained Brennan. “First to confirm the two dates here next October, both on Saturday evenings. One in Croke Park, the second at another venue to be decided. Belfast is an option, but we’re waiting to hear from all provincial venues. But it was decided that both games would be played under floodlights. We feel that helps contribute to the atmosphere of the games, and also works out better for the streaming of the games back to Australia.”

Inevitably the issue of young Gaelic footballers taking up contacts with AFL clubs was raised, although Brennan played down its significance in the grand scheme of GAA operations.

“The issue of recruitment was discussed as well,” said Brennan. “But I think this is something that has been blown out of all proportion. Right now it’s more about players coming back, but our issue is that the players that do go out are properly looked after.”

The GAA are still seeking a new sponsor for the International Rules series and the Irish team after Coca Cola’s decision last month to end their association, which went back to 1998.

The GAA is in the process of tendering for the TV rights for both the 2009 and 2011 International Rules, and have deferred putting together sponsorship packages for both the series and the Irish team until after this process is complete.

Brennan also confirmed the Interprovincial hurling final will be staged in Abu Dhabi on the Saturday before St Patrick’s Day, March 15th, through a special once-off agreement with one of the three headline hurling sponsors, Etihad Airways. The football interprovincial final will still be played at a home venue.