GAA and AFL set for talks

GAA chiefs are to meet their AFL counterparts in Dubai next week to rubberstamp a decision to see whether the International Rules Series has a future.

Last year's series was abandoned after rough play and off-the-ball incidents marred 2006's second Test at Croke Park.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou will be present for the talks along with GAA president Nickey Brennan and it is likely that the Association's incoming Director General Paraic Duffy will also play a role in discussions.

Demetriou will be present in Dubai for the Collingwood v Adelaide NAB Cup clash, and talks will be taking place in the hope of reactivating the series.

It is understood that the AFL Players' Association and its Irish counterpart want the games to resume, as does the overall AFL body.

The GAA has refused to be involved in any tribunal hearings into the violence from the 2006 Test.

Demetriou and Brennan met in Paris in October to discuss the resumption of the series, but both sporting bodies released few details of the "frank and cordial" meeting.

The GAA has been coy about the future of International Rules but are keen that should the senior series have a future, the Under-17 series is abandoned following the poaching of such high profile minor players as Down's Martin Clarke and Laois's Colm Begley, who have both been lured to Australia.

Brennan said after his discussions with Demetriou last year that it would take more than one meeting to revive the series.

"We're not making a decision on whether it will or not (be revived). Our talks will revolve around what needs to be done on both sides, particularly theirs," Brennan said.

With the AFL celebrating 150 years of football this season and the GAA celebrating its 125th anniversary next year, it looks likely that if a future for the series can be secured, Australia will play host to this year's Tests in October with Ireland set to host two games in 2009.