Brennan upbeat over Rules comeback
The International Rules series looks set for revival in the autumn after GAA president Nickey Brennan gave an upbeat presentation to Central Council on Saturday after last week's talks with the AFL in Dubai.
Brennan stated that more had been achieved than he could have expected from the talks, with critical agreement with the AFL on the issue of carrying over suspensions to parent codes.
By signing up to suspension transfer, the GAA are hopeful that it will act as a suitable deterrent to AFL players who commit themselves to the Series. Agreement on the establishment of a disciplinary tribunal was reached while a video official will also be appointed.
However, the encouraging words by the president and the report given by Croke Park's head of games Pat Daly and former player Anthony Tohill may not be enough to save the Rules. Counties have been asked to debate the future of the series and mandate their Central Council delegates for a March decision. Some counties who have lost promising young players to AFL clubs may be reluctant to give the series the green light again after it was abandoned in late 2006.
Despite assurances from Croke Park that the GAA would be better served having a relationship with the AFL to avoid a greater flow of young players out of the country, a vote to re-launch the series could be divisive.
Brennan told the meeting that "in any objective analysis it had to be concluded" that the international code had no impact on the levels of recruitment from Ireland. He did, however, suggest that he would be pushing for the AFL to sign up to an embargo on recruitment of Irish U-19 players and the institution of a proper educational programme for them.
The grants issue was also raised on Saturday with Central Council agreeing the terms of a motion that would be forwarded to Congress in April.
The motion asks "that Congress is satisfied that the scheme proposed by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, to recognise the contribution of senior inter-county GAA players and additional costs associated with enhancing team performance in the form presented to Congress, is in accordance with Rule 11 of the Official Guide and that Congress approves the introduction and implementation of that scheme."
- Colm Keys
