Duffy stresses limitations on movement to the USA

THE GAA have moved to emphasise new limitations on the movement of players to the US. A motion passed by last month's annual congress means that for a three-year trial period students will be the only intercounty panellists allowed travel to America to link up with clubs there. A reminder of this has gone out to the counties.

"An agreed motion was accepted by congress," explained GAA director general Páraic Duffy. "I brought it to the attention of the counties and said, 'just be aware of this'.

"The North American board had suggested themselves they would not register any player this summer who has been a member of one of the panel of 30 in senior intercounty championships.

"However if a player holds a J1 visa, he is exempt from that."

Croke Park's move follows complaints about the gap of 10 weeks between Longford's defeat last Sunday in the Leinster championship and the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers on July 19th.

"It's a ridiculous sort of championship to be running," said Longford manager Luke Dempsey.

"They (players) will go back to their clubs. Some may decide to go abroad. You'd be worried about that, especially with all the poaching that goes on with American clubs, and which I totally disagree with."

The letter from Croke Park laid out the details of the motion accepted at congress.

"NOTE: The NACB and all of its Divisions have agreed that for a three-year trial period (2008 to 2010 inclusive) no member of an intercounty senior panel, who has competed at senior level in the hurling and/or football championships, of the current year, will be accepted for registration as a member of any club in the NACB jurisdiction.

"Exception: Any intercounty player who holds a valid, current J1 Visa and a separate J1 Sanction will be accepted for registration."

Meanwhile, in relation to the hold-up of next autumn's International Rules series the GAA have received an assurance from the AFL that every effort is being made to finalise a venue for the second Test despite various difficulties posed by the Australian body's 125th anniversary celebrations and the clash with international tournaments in both rugby league and cricket.

"We got an e-mail yesterday from Dean Moore, who had spoken to Andrew Demetriou (Australian Football League chief executive)," said Duffy yesterday, and who said that they understand the deadline we had set down and they respect that.

"They are in negotiations to try and resolve the difficulties and they will be in touch us before Friday week (May 23rd)."