Aussie Rules panel fly business class

THE GAA spared no expense in ensuring their International Rules players travelled to Melbourne in comfort.

For the first time in the history of the series, all 23 panel members along with management officials and GAA President Christy Cooney flew with Etihad Airways in business class, potentially costing approximately €120,000. Three years ago, Cooney’s predecessor Nickey Brennan flew business class for the start of the Rules series in Perth while then manager Seán Boylan, his management and panel travelled in economy.

Brennan explained he had done it for health reasons after a series of flights in a short period of time and the upgrade didn’t cost the GAA. However, he pointed out it was GAA policy for all of its officials on association trips to travel economy class.