Kelly rejects criticism of timing of games with Australia

GAA PRESIDENT Sean Kelly last night rejected criticism from Ladies football chief Helen O’Rourke on the timing of this year’s International Rules series.

The ladies claim the men’s tests will steal their limelight with the second tests in particular set to clash on the weekend of November 5. Kelly was unapologetic yesterday and stated that both organisations created their own fixtures in isolation.

“Ourselves and the Australians looked at certain dates and we eventually came to settle on the ones we did,” said Mr Kelly. “Nobody told us that it was going to discommode anybody and the GAC obviously couldn’t deal with something they had no prior information about. The ladies are a separate organisation and they negotiated their own deal that we weren’t aware of. We went and spoke to the Australians and made an arrangement that suited.”

However, after returning from the All Stars tour to Singapore where the historic agreement with the AFL for a ladies series was reached, ladies football officials were shocked to hear that the GAA proposed to change the dates of their test matches from those published in the official fixtures list and diary.

Ms O’Rourke revealed yesterday they had consulted the official fixtures list last Friday before agreeing dates with the Australians and with TG4, who will show both games live.

“We did that to ensure we would avoid any clash with other major fixtures. All our plans were in place and now we find ourselves in a very difficult position,” she said.

It was announced at the weekend that the first ladies test would take place on October 31 in Cork or Galway, with the second test on November 4 in Dublin.

Ms O’Rourke added: “It’s extremely disappointing to discover that significant changes in dates have been made without any consultation.

“We decided on our dates according to the official diary of the GAA. We were also in telephone contact with the stadium.

“It was common sense and courtesy to avoid any clash with other events on the GAA calendar and we wanted to have our own week of international football.

“We are really angry about this. A lot of work has already gone into organising and planning for what is a major development in Ladies Gaelic Football. It puts us in an impossible position and it is very unfair to our players and to our colleagues in Australia and to TG4. We have no choice but to stick with the dates despite the possibility of a clash.”

Pól Ó Gallchóír, Ceannasai TG4, said they were happy that the Ladies Football Association had decided to go ahead as planned. The series coincides with the 10th anniversary celebrations for the station.

“We have developed an excellent relationship with Cumann Peil Gael na mBan. The professional manner in which the negotiations took place in Singapore was very impressive and this series is one of the most exciting innovations for Irish sport in a long time.”