Brennan upbeat about series

Maybe it was some fine wining and dining in Dubai for the past three days but GAA president Nickey Brennan was excitedly upbeat yesterday about the future of the International Rules series with Australia.

Having just arrived back in Dublin to attend the press briefing in Croke Park, Brennan described the positive outcome to the Dubai talks with Australian Football Rules (AFL) officials designed to safeguard the series from any repeat of last year's indiscipline problems.

Several new rules have been agreed, two of which were already flagged after a previous meeting between the two associations in Melbourne back in January. It was also decided the series would continue in 2007 with a return tour to Australia, but that any future series would only be confirmed after that date.

"Both associations again emphasised the need for a very strict approach to discipline matters in the future," explained Brennan, "and I can't say it any stronger than that. Last year's series was a major setback, and quite frankly I think any repeat of that would spell the end of the series. That's the reality.

"I know there was outrage in Ireland with the way things worked out. But the Australians realised themselves that if the series was to continue they had some serious work to do at their end as well. And hopefully with these new rules we've moved on from that."

The 2006 series will see the first Test played in Pearse Stadium, Galway on Saturday evening, October 28th. The stadium has applied for floodlights and even if that is not granted in time, temporary lights will be installed. The second Test takes place in Croke Park the following weekend, November 4th/5th, and again will be played on the Saturday night if the stadium gets the floodlights installed in time as is now anticipated.

Part of Brennan's enthusiasm for the future of the series was undoubtedly linked to the quality of the backroom team: "I know the details of what all these people have achieved is extremely significant," he said. "I wouldn't even begin to summarise what Seán Boylan has achieved, because I know I'd leave out too much. What I will say is that he's been a hugely influential figure in the last quarter of a century, not just in Meath football but in Gaelic football. And I'm highly honoured that he accepted my request to become manager of the Irish team."

Along with Boylan, Padraig Joyce, Anthony Tohill, Eoin Liston and Hugh Kenny, there will be a touring management team of Seán Walsh (Kerry GAA chairman) assisted by Tommy Kilcoyne (Sligo GAA secretary).

Joyce admitted that he'd "achieved all that I could achieve in the game, but was delighted to stay involved" while Liston said he was "delighted to get the call, and especially the chance to work with a man of Seán Boylan's experience".

Brennan said that a DVD was being produced as part of a campaign to assist the understanding of the rules of the game among referees, players and media. He also confirmed that their concerns in regard to the AFL drafting underage GAA players will be addressed at the end of the current Australian Rules season when changes to rules governing the Rookie Draft system will be effected.

There had been talk the series would be played every two years rather than one - with the return tour being played in 2007 - but that was put off for the time being: "That may still happen, because nothing is committed beyond 2007 at this stage. We just want to see first can we get the series back on track. And we felt it was important we keep some continuity to the series for now. So there will be a series in Australia next year. We're not sure of locations, but they'll most likely be Perth and Melbourne, at the newly renovated MCG."

Finally, Brennan announced that next year's All Star tour, involving the 2005 and 2006 football selections, would travel to Dubai next January to play the annual exhibition match.