Brennan to attand crisis talks with AFL
GAA President Nickey Brennan is set to head for Paris in the morning for crisis talks with Aussie Rules chiefs to see if the future of the International Rules Series can be secured.
The Kilkenny native will meet with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou in the French capital tomorrow for a last gasp attempt at securing the competition which began in the 1960’s.
"We have given them various communications over a period of time and obviously they will form the basis of tomorrow's discussions," Brennan stated today.
"Tomorrow will be the first formal engagement we will have had with them since the series last year. They are aware of our views but clearly talks centre on discipline."
The GAA are keen for a continuation of the series and have full backing of their players and management on this, however Brennan is not keen to let his own personal views cloud the meeting with Mr Demetriou.
"We have to cut to the chase and see if there is a base on which we can continue with the series. I'm not saying we are going to decide if the series will carry on again next year. But it will certainly give us a feel of whether we are at least on the same playing field as the Aussies.
"My views are not going to dominate. But I do need to ask hard questions. And we will assess how the meeting went to see if the series can be carried on.
"I wouldn't be crazy about the series. But at the same time I represent a wide audience in the GAA and I represent people who have different views on many things and I have always said that I can never allow my views to dictate.
"Obviously I have to give direction but at the same time there is an audience out there, be they supporters and certainly players and team management that have expressed a wish that the series be continued and I need to represent them as well. And that's what I am doing tomorrow."
However, Brennan is also keen to admit that the relationship between the GAA and AFL has been a long-term one and that this will be the basis for tomorrow’s talks on the future of the hybrid game.
"I think we also owe it to the relationship we had with the AFL, a long-standing relationship that goes way before my time, and I think if you are to end the series it has to be done in the proper appropriate manner. And I think we are entering these discussions in good faith and we will see where it goes from here," he said.
The core aspect of tomorrow’s talks will be discipline, an issue which came to the fore during last year’s ill-tempered second test at Croke Park.
"A lot of matters relating to discipline and general organisation around the series that will be relevant," said Brennan. "There are other fringe issues that have come up as well. We have a fair bit to discuss."
Among those travelling to the meeting with Brennan will be newly appointed player welfare manager Pauric Duffy, and Brennan expects a firm decision on the future of the Series to follow in the coming days.
"We will get a feel by tomorrow evening and we'll ponder on it coming home on the plane whether it is a basis for this to continue or else say that this is going nowhere," he said.
