John O'Keeffe has been appointed manager of the Ireland International Rules team for the next two years. A seven-times All-Ireland medallist with Kerry, O'Keeffe is coach to the Kerry team that won the All-Ireland last year. He will not be giving up his commitments with the county.

As such his appointment is a bit of a break with tradition, as neither Colm O'Rourke nor Brian McEniff - O'Keeffe's predecessors as manager - had inter-county involvement during their years in charge. O'Keeffe confirmed last night that he would be maintaining his position with Kerry: "I'm on holidays from June and now that the training is on Friday nights, it makes things easier to organise."

O'Keeffe, who has been a selector and physical trainer to the Ireland team since the series resumed three years ago, says he will name his selectors within the next week.

Central Council approved price increases for next year's All-Ireland championships. Tickets for the finals will rise by £1 for the Hill 16 terrace and the stands (to £36 and £16) except the Nally, which stays at £20. For semi-finals, there is a steeper rise for the main stands - up £3 to £28. Hill 16 prices remain at £12 for semis.

Another matter to come before the meeting was the post-All-Ireland ceremony. A previous suggestion to abolish speeches by winning captains was turned down after an intervention by the Players' Committee. It will be discussed again at the first Central council of the new year.

Meanwhile the campaign to delete Rule 42, which prohibits certain games including soccer and rugby being played in GAA grounds, received an unexpected setback when it emerged over the weekend that Roscommon - the county that piloted a motion for repeal to within a vote of securing a two thirds majority at last April's congress - is now unlikely to support the same motion for next year's congress.

A number of clubs who had supported the move a year ago have changed sides. The motion was deferred at Friday night's county convention to save it from defeat.