The GAA stands to make nearly £2 million out of yesterday's drawn All-Ireland final at Croke Park. In keeping with the public view of such things, insufficient injury-time was played and Galway and Kerry must return next Saturday week, October 7th, to decide which spot on the west coast will house the millennium football title.
As a result there is going to be a significant sports fixture pile-up on the weekend in question and a huge headache for the GAA. The special congress fixed to discuss the proposals for reforming the football championships, which was to have been held that day, has been postponed to October 14th.
The main casualty will be the International Rules series between Ireland and Australia. The first Test is scheduled for the day after the replay and, consequently, Ireland manager Brian McEniff will be short six players.
Regular goalkeeper Declan O'Keeffe and his Kerry colleagues, captain Seamus Moynihan (Irish player of the series last year) and Darragh O Se will hardly be available. Galway captain Padraig Joyce, Michael Donnellan and Sean de Paor will be in the same boat.
Brian White of Wexford has been appointed to take charge of the replay, as yesterday's referee, Pat McEnaney, will be the Irish official in the International Rules series. McEnaney, who also refereed the last All-Ireland draw, between Meath and Mayo four years ago, would have been replaced anyway in keeping with the new GAA policy of appointing different referees for replays.
On the weekend of the replay - in addition to the GAA activity - Ireland's soccer team will be in Portugal for the World Cup qualifier. The European Cup rugby campaign will be starting and the World Matchplay golf is being staged at Wentworth.
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