No room as yet for Rules series

The GAA have not included any reference to the International Rules series in their master fixture list for 2007.

Although the list is still only at draft phase the omission appears to suggest that no consideration has been given to the series ahead of the Central Council meeting on December 9th.

That's when the GAA begin the formal discussions on what, if any, future the series holds.

Central Council must give their approval to the entire plan, but like the league fixtures, few if any changes are expected.

The International Rules series is traditionally pencilled in for late October/early November, although on this occasion that has been held back until after discussions with the AFL.

As decided at last month's Special Congress, the All-Ireland hurling and football finals are to remain on the first and third Sundays of September, a move that took place this year to facilitate Ireland's staging of the Ryder Cup.

It was decided that schedule benefited the GAA calendar and should be introduced on a permanent basis. It means the 2007 hurling final will be played on September 2nd, and the football final on September 16th.