GAA to raise recruiting concerns

THE GAA has confirmed it will meet with their AFL counterparts on Wednesday, October 29 to discuss the recruitment of young Irish footballers by Aussie Rules clubs.

The importance which Croke Park attaches to the talks is demonstrated by the fact that they will take place only 24 hours after Director General Pauric Duffy arrives in the country for the compromise games between the two countries.

The talks will dissect the two International Rules talks which take place in Perth and Melbourne. President Nickey Brennan has said that the Australians are well aware of the importance of the discussions from the GAA’s point of view.

Increased activity by AFL scouts recently — Ricky Nixon’s camps in particular — have caused serious disquiet around the country and over a dozen Irish players are expected to be on the books of Aussie Rules clubs when the league starts again.

Brennan has gone on record to say that the GAA is powerless to prevent young players accepting the offer to try their hand at Aussie Rules.