Brennan warms up for IRFU and GPA talks

NEW GAA president, Nickey Brennan has pledged to “make his feelings known” to rugby authorities over the weekend fixture clash when he meets IRFU chiefs for the first time.

“I haven’t met the rugby people yet, and I’m looking forward to doing so. I’ll make my feelings known to them,” he told Today FM last night.

Mr. Brennan said that the fixture clash between the GAA’s League finals and the Heineken Cup semi-final was dealt with before he took office, and admitted that the poor attendance at Sunday’s Allianz NFL final in Limerick was a disappointment.

Mr Brennan also made clear that he was approaching his first meeting with the GPA next Tuesday with an open mind.

“It isn’t that long ago that I was a player myself, and a manager, so I’d be in touch with what players need.

“Obviously I know DJ Carey very well, and I will treat him, and Dessie Farrell with the respect that they deserve.”

On the weekend fixtures clash, the new president explained: “I know there was an issue with French TV, and we could not put the League finals on last Saturday because it would have clashed with Congress.

“That would have been disrespectful to the presidency and the officers who were up for election on the day,” added GAA spokesman Fergal McGill.

“The GAC acted in good faith in what they did in fixing the venues. Unfortunately, they didn’t work out but there were circumstances that meant the game had to go ahead on the Sunday.”

While the Division Two football final between Donegal and Louth at Kingspan Breffni Park attracted 12,000 people, the decision to take the two football deciders out of Croke Park was heavily criticised at the time.

The gardaí said weeks ago that they would have no problem with major GAA and rugby events being held on opposite sides of the Liffey at the same time while there were also eyebrows raised by the decision not to stage the game at Croke Park on the Saturday.

Meanwhile Kerry have gone from 9/4 to 2/1 for this year’s All-Ireland Football Championship after the League final, according to odds released by Boylesports.

Jack O’Connor’s team were impressive winners over Galway in Limerick, who are now 10/1 for “Sam”; 2005 champions Tyrone are 7/2 second favourites with Ulster champions Armagh at 5/1.