'Some poor hoor is going to get battered': Prenty can't fathom idea of International Rules Series return 

To remove January competitions from the GAA calendar but then enter talks with the AFL about reviving the International Rules Series, as took place in Dublin this week, is a circle Prenty cannot square.

2017: Kevin Feely of Ireland wins the ball from teammate Niall Grimley, and Nat Fyfe and Rory Laird of Australia. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Connacht GAA chief executive John Prenty cannot fathom how Croke Park will entertain a return of the International Rules Series and players “getting battered by a crowd of professionals”, while at the same time citing player welfare concerns in shelving pre-season competitions.

At Friday’s Connacht Championship launch in Bekan, Prenty said counties bought a “dummy” from the Gaelic Players Association last winter in agreeing to abandon pre-season competitions for 2025.