Starlets not exiting due to Rules ties

ABANDONING the International Rules Series would not end the recruitment of the cream of young GAA football talent by AFL clubs, Paraic Duffy insisted yesterday.

Making it clear that he favoured maintaining the link — while at the same time saying the inter-provincial competitions ‘have had their day’ — he said at yesterday’s media briefing that it was ‘terribly important’ that their players were given the opportunity to wear an Irish jersey.

And, the only means of achieving this is through the series with Australia, noting that after disciplinary issues had ‘blighted’ some of the games in recent years, changes to the playing rules and a renewed commitment from both sides had resulted in a ‘hugely successful’ series last October.