Former Meath manager and multiple All-Ireland winner Sean Boylan replaces Pete McGrath as the new International Rules manager, GAA President Nickey Brennan announced today.
The four-times All-Ireland winner with the Royal County (1987, 88, 96 and 99) will take charge for this autumn's test series here in Ireland and the tour Down Under in 2007.
When Ireland travel to Australia in October 2007 the future of the series will be reviewed at that point. It is believed the series could be held on a bi-annual basis after the last series was marred by on-field violence and unsporting behaviour.
Brennan, returning from a two-day meeting with the Australian Football League in Dubai, said the two Associations had re-affirmed their commitment to eliminating the type of incidents that occurred in the games.
Disciplinary initiatives agreed in January have been formally adapted and it was confirmed that a DVD would be produced as part of a campaign to assist the understanding of the rules of the game among referees, players, media and the general public.
The GAA's concerns in regard to the AFL draft will also be addressed at the end of the current Australian Rules season when changes to rules governing the Rookie Draft system will be effected.
When Boylan takes charge his backroom team will include; Eoin "Bomber" Liston (Kerry), Padraig Joyce (Galway), Anthony Tohill (Derry) and Hugh Kenny (Wicklow). Sean Walsh (Kerry GAA chairman) is the new tour manager and will be assisted by Tommy Kilcoyne (Sligo GAA secretary).
Boylan was Meath manager from 1982 until his retirement last summer, during which time he also won National League titles in 1988, 1990 and 1994, and won the Centenary Cup in 1984. In recognition of his services to Meath GAA, the Dunboyne man was conferred as Freeman of the County of Meath - the first person ever to be bestowed with the title - last month.
Brennan described Boylan as "one of the finest managers in the game" and said the former Meath boss was "widely respected for all that he had achieved in his remarkable career".
The first test in Ireland will be played at Pearse Stadium in Galway on the weekend of October 28th/29th with the second test to be played the following weekend at Croke Park.