International Rules series safe for now

The much-maligned International Rules series appears to have been given another reprieve after Croke Park decided to remove it from the agenda of Saturday’s specially-convened Central Council meeting.

The future of the hybrid competition between Ireland and Australia won’t now be discussed until after November’s Test in Perth.

This is in spite of several counties in votes last month expressing their opposition to the series continuing as part of the second report published by the Football Review Committee (FRC).

The white paper calls for the International Rules series to be supported providing both parties commit to putting out their strongest possible representatives. However, FRC chairman Eugene McGee last month told the Irish Examiner he expected its recommendation would be defeated.

McGee was speaking prior to May’s regular Central Council meeting when the structural proposals by the FRC were first expected to be discussed. However, when it was realised the debate was being rushed it was agreed to arrange a special meeting.

It is understandable the GAA does not want counties sounding the death-knell of the International Rules, as inevitable as it now appears to be, ahead of the Subiaco Stadium game. The GAA have already agreed with the AFL to go ahead and travel arrangements have been made and Croke Park is optimistic about the Australian attitude as only players who have won the AFL’s version of the All Stars can represent them this year.

Among a total of 14 recommendations, the International Rules is one of three that won’t be deliberated on Saturday. A call to reduce minor level from U18 to U17 won’t be discussed until the report of the minor review group has been received.

Also, the GAA’s higher education committee will be asked to consider the FRC’s proposal to reconsider the “two academic courses” eligibility rule at third level colleges. Cork’s Aidan Walsh was unable to line out for DCU last year because of the stipulation.

The major plank of the FRC’s document is the restructuring of the All-Ireland senior football championship so that each province has eight quarter-finalists.

That would mean Munster receiving two Leinster counties, the losers of their own first round games, while Connacht would take the losers of the Ulster first round as well as one of the three beaten first round teams in Leinster’s first round. However, it has received scant support among counties.

Delegates on Saturday will also be asked to back or oppose the FRC’s suggestion to ensure counties have reached the semi-final stages of their senior and intermediate club championships by the first weekend in August. Again, counties don’t appear to be too keen on it on the basis that the demand is unfeasible.

However, there would appear to be encouragement for All-Ireland club championships to be completed in the calendar year as opposed to now where they run into March.

The FRC is also likely to see its determination to see the Division 1 semi-finals disbanded endorsed at the weekend.

However, there are several recommendations that could have repercussions for hurling, such as the FRC’s plea for a Railway Cup shake-up and harsher punishments for contravening the winter inter-county training moratorium. Delegates will have to decide whether they apply to football or hurling as well.

Meanwhile, Fermanagh’s two-time All Star full-back Barry Owens has retired from inter-county football. The Teemore man played his last game for the county in their first round qualifier defeat to Laois on Saturday.

Owens won his All Stars in 2004, when Fermanagh reached an All-Ireland semi-final, and in 2006.

In 2008, he memorably came off the bench to score a goal against Derry just five months after heart surgery to help the Erne County reach their first Ulster final in 26 years.