GAA considers making Rules series biennial event

MOST players would favour the International Rules series being played every second year, according to GAA director general Liam Mulvihill, who added that such a format would ease the pressure on the GAA’s creaking fixtures calendar.

The GAA and AFL discussed the possibility of making the annual series a biennial event and the Australians were “not hostile” to the idea, according to Mr Mulvihill.

“They saw the positives and negatives of it,” explained Mr Mulvihill. “One of the negatives would be that the continuity would suffer, especially in terms of TV and publicity. It would be more of a stop-start arrangement.”

The positives could well make up for that. “Players seem to feel that every second year would suit them better, especially those players who play in the All-Ireland final. A lot of players from the All-Ireland final did not do themselves justice in Australia last time. I think it was clear to see that their minds were elsewhere and that has been the case down the years.”

Both governing bodies will hold discussions again in May, a meeting which Mr Mulvihill believes the GAA should use to consider fixture pressure caused by International Rules.

Mr Mulvihill is in favour of freeing up to four more weekends per year for the club game, and staging the Rules Series once every 24 months would ease the burden on players and administrators.

“Undoubtedly, games every second year would give some respite to our fixtures programme and allow us a possible alternative slot for the All-Stars’ tour, while it would make the tour to Australia or Ireland every four years more special for a player.”

The May meeting will also consider the playing rules of the International Series. There is a feeling that recent playing developments in both codes need to be reflected on the international stage.

There is also likely to be further discussions on playing one of the home tests outside Dublin. The Australians are extremely keen on that particular idea, although the GAA has yet to finalise such plans.

After last year’s disciplinary controversy, Mr Mulvihill believes the concept is on its last chance, adding counties won’t stand for a repeat of the violence that marred the 2005 tests.

Meanwhile, GAA President-elect Nicky Brennan has received permission from his predecessor Sean Kelly to begin the trawl for a new manager for the Irish team.

“I am conscious that the next series will be at the latter part of this year and we need him in place sooner rather than later, before the Championship if not earlier,” revealed Brennan.