Rules provincial venue plan dropped

THE GAA are poised to abandon plans to use a provincial venue for the International Rules Series against Australia.

Association President Sean Kelly had favoured playing one of the two test games outside Croke Park but the plan has not proven feasible.

The Australian Football League was also keen on the idea of playing at other venues in an effort to build the profile of the hybrid game.

However the lack of facilities comparable to Croke Park's has caused the proposal to be postponed.

Nevertheless, with both the GAA and the AFL committed to the future of the series, the indications are that at least one test will definitely be played in the provinces in the near future.

In the meantime, Irish manager Pete McGrath will announce his preliminary panel the week after next.

Australian-based Tadhg Kennelly, who has been starring of late with Sydney Swans and has previous experience of the series, is likely to be amongst his selection.

GAA President Sean Kelly has rejected suggestions the Association could be open to litigation from players sustaining injury from slipping on the Croke Park surface.

"That's over-reacting altogether,'' he said yesterday.

"The only way there can be a court action against anybody is if they are negligent. We're doing the opposite.''

Accepting that it has been a recent problem, Mr Kelly said the Stadium Committee and the ground staff had been monitoring the situation and remedial action is planned.

"We're going to extremes to get everything right, because we want to make the pitch the best in the world. That's the aim, but we are finding the few flaws. It is a slight concern, but we are addressing them.''

Mr Kelly also explained away the colour variations on the Croke Park surface.

"These meadow grasses have invaded the pitch. They are brought in on people's shoes when they walk on the pitch. But they can be eliminated by putting in new seed. And that will be done next year, probably around springtime because there would not be enough growth after October.''

Dismissing suggestions that the pitch will have to be relaid, Mr Kelly said much of the recent problems are due to wrong stud selection by players.

"They're wearing blades and they are slipping. Players who use cogs aren't slipping as much. We want to highlight this, so people are aware of it. It hasn't been happening on a regular basis, it's just happening more often than in other games.

"We will eliminate any flaws on the pitch by using the highest possible professional standards. We regard Croke Park as probably the best stadium in the world and we want the pitch to be the exact same. It's not far off it at this stage.''

The new pitch was put in place in the spring of 2002, at a cost of €2.5m. The process used was originally designed for the goalmouth areas, to give the ground more consistency and make it hard-wearing in other words to prevent sods of grass being kicked out of the ground. It involved the insertion of an artificial fibre every few inches and anchored at the base. Accordingly, as the grass grew, the roots became attached to the fibre. The pitch is supported by a high- powered drainage system. Instead of the water seeping down and into pipes, a motorised system sucks the water away.

The GAA has announced that tickets for Saturday's Bank of Ireland SFC semi-final replay between Fermanagh and Mayo and Sunday's semi-final between Derry and Kerry will go on general sale from the Ticket Office at the rear of the Cusack Stand from 11am to 7pm today and tomorrow.

There will be no concessionary tickets on general sale as these have been issued to the County Boards in the participating counties.

The game will be preceded by the minor football semi-final between Kerry and Laois.

Meanwhile, the GAA are hoping to increase the profile and participation in Gaelic Games in British universities. Croke Park are inviting applications for a Games Promotion Officer who will work in conjunction with the British Universities Gaelic Games, in collaboration with the British Provincial Council.

The successful candidate will also be expected to develop Gaelic Games at primary and secondary school level.

According to Croke Park, the successful candidate will have a broad list of duties.

"Co-ordination and administration of all University Gaelic Games, e.g. Football, Hurling and Camogie under the direction of the British Universities Gaelic Games Administration Committee (BUGAC) and the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA), in conjunction with Games Administration in Croke Park and Comhairle Ardoideachais (CA).

"Assisting, advising and supporting club officers and BUGAC members in the day-to-day running/administration of British Universities activities, including the preparation and administration of all competitions.

"Under the direction of the British Provincial Council of the GAA, setting up and co-ordinating a Games Development Programme in primary and secondary schools and linking these activities to underage clubs."

Applicants are asked to sent a curriculum vitae, and a personal statement in support of their application to: [e-mail]. The closing date is Friday, September 3.