No immediate plans for talks on rules series

GAA and AFL officials will not meet during next month's All Stars trip to Dubai. But GAA president Nickey Brennan did confirm that there would be a meeting later in the year when the GAA had drawn up its list of proposals for the possible revival of the International Rules series, which has been suspended for at least a year.

"It hasn't been decided yet whether or not to appoint a committee to draw up the report," he said yesterday. "There's a bit of time involved in doing it, but it won't be that hugely difficult. But I would be of the view that the Australians realise that if it is to go ahead the series needs a fairly seismic change.

"There are aspects of the relationship that have been of value to the GAA, such as player welfare and dealing with injuries, but we need to build up trust after what happened in the second Test."

Brennan emphasised that any decision on the resumption of the series would be a matter for Central Council.

He then addressed the controversy over Central Council's decision to refuse the FAI access to Croke Park for training in advance of Ireland's away match against San Marino.

"There was a bit of play that the FAI were turned down for February 5th. There's nothing sinister in that. The week before is the Dublin-Tyrone league match, and the week after that is the rugby international, which will entail a fair bit of logistical work, posts, pitch markings, etcetera.

"We understand that they'll need access before they play there (the first home match against Wales is March 29th), and we're awaiting written confirmation of what access they want before their own match."

It was also confirmed that the Dublin-Tyrone NFL fixture is to go ahead on Saturday, March 3rd, at 7pm. The match, which is to be promoted and advertised, will be all-ticket and prices have been held at €15 for adults in the stand, €13 for the terrace, €5 concessions (students and OAPs) as well as family tickets and €3 for children in groups - one adult admitted free with every 10 children.

Existing internet ticket customers will get priority booking, although it isn't expected that there will be a shortage of tickets.

According to director general Liam Mulvihill: "We would be very disappointed if there aren't 60,000-plus in attendance."

The make-up of the 2008 National Football League was confirmed, with a county's standing at the end of the 2007 competition determining their status for the following year.

Divisions for 2008, organised on a hierarchical basis, will be constituted as follows after the completion of next year's NFL: Division One: Top four in Division One A and Division One B. Division Two: Fifth and sixth placed in Division One A and Division One B, top two in Division Two A and Division Two B. Three: Third and fourth placed in Division Two A and Division Two B, seventh and eighth Division One A and Division One B. Four: Bottom four in Division Two A and Division Two B.

The death has taken place of Bridie Moran, wife of former Connacht Council president Tommy, who served for many years as secretary of the Leitrim County Board.