Following a meeting of the GAA Central Council today it was decided there will be no International Rules Series in 2007, while it was also agreed that the Irish rugby team will be granted two familiarisation sessions at Croke Park prior to their Six Nations games at the same venue.
On the issue of International Rules, delegates spoke both strongly in favour and against the continuation of the Series.
GAA President Nickey Brennan stated: "The issue had been considered by the Management Committee at length and that a consultation process had taken place with players and the Irish Team Management...and had spoken at length to the chief executive of the Australian Football League (AFL)."
Brennan revealed that around 50 per cent of players contacted had given their views and that they were all in favour of the Series continuing, as was the Irish team manager Seán Boylan and his selectors.
However, Brennan addd that "any continuation must be contingent on a structure, rules and an implementation process and procedure be put in place to ensure that any future Series was conducted to the accepted norms of sportsmanship".
Their Australian counterparts appear to accept this view.
As a result there will be no Junior or Senior Series of games in 2007. Instead, a document will be prepared by the GAA, which will put on record the basis of structure, rules, their implementation and penalties on which the future of any Series must be considered.
This document will be brought back to Central Council for decision after which it will be forwarded to the AFL for their consideration. If acceptable to the AFL then discussions on the future of the Series will take place.
Gaelic Players Association (GPA) President Dessie Farrell said: "While there would be some disappointment amongst players that the 2007 Series will not take place, the decision was probably a wise one."
Meanwhile the IRFU requested the use of Croke Park ahead of their Six Nations home games against England and France next year.
It was agreed at today's meeting that two sessions for the Irish rugby team could take place in late January in the week prior to the their first Six Nations home game.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) also requested use of Croke Park for a training session on Monday, February 5 thbut this could not be accommodated because of the scheduled Allianz National League game on Saturday, February 3rd to be followed by the Six Nations fixture against France on Sunday, February 11 th.
However, Brennan did say if the FAI request an alternative date which is suitable to all parties the Association would accommodate it.