A change of mindset appears to have occurred regarding the relocation of this October's second International Rules Test to Casement Park in Belfast.
The idea evolved earlier this year after the Australians suggested spreading the Test matches across two Irish cities. Also, a potential grant from the British Government had been mooted with a move North.
However, the idea has lost momentum in the GAA when ground facilities and financial realities were taken into consideration. Two years ago Croke Park sold 117,000 tickets over the two-match series, which the visitors won. This was a dramatic increase on previous attendances despite the terrible October downpours.
Another reason to keep both games in Dublin is the first Test has traditionally under-sold the second. Only 46,000 showed up for the first Test in 2002, while 71,000 came to the second. A repeat of the poor weather may have a greater adverse effect outside Dublin, as the "walk up" crowds - to use an Australian term - would be significantly reduced.
A final decision is expected from the management committee on August 18th. Also, Pete McGrath and his team of Johnny Tobin, Larry Tompkins, John O'Leary and Mickey Linden will be naming a squad in the coming weeks.
Minors await their fate
A number of players, and potentially officials, from Laois and Cork are expected to be called before the Games Administration Committee on Friday to face disciplinary charges resulting from the free-for-all in the minor All-Ireland quarter-final on July 31st.
The GAC will not confirm a date until dealing with the matter but, considering player suspensions, the game looks set to be refixed, thus allowing the semi-final against Kerry to take place on Sunday, August 29th.
The matter will have dragged on for two weeks by the time the GAC meet for a second time this Friday.
"It's a desperate scenario as we're just waiting for the names to be called to come through," said Laois manager Seán Dempsey. "It has naturally affected training as the lads don't know what's going on and we can't tell them."
Down and Tyrone will contest the other minor semi-final on Saturday, August 21st, in a bizarre repeat of the Ulster final and a similar fate may befall the Munster final pairing if Cork overcome Laois in a rescheduled encounter.
However, this tie is to be held in Casement Park as the Tommy Murphy Cup final (Clare against Sligo) is on the undercard of the Mayo and Fermanagh senior football semi-final on August 22nd at Croke Park.
Hurling tickets on sale
Tickets will be on sale for Sunday's second instalment of the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, Cork v Wexford, from the rear of the Cusack Stand tomorrow and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All the ticket allocations for this Saturday's football quarter-final double header, which sees Westmeath play Derry ahead of Dublin and Kerry, have gone out to the counties.
