GAELIC GAMES: Like some Truth Commission, the joint GAA-AFL media conference convened in Galway's Ardilaun Hotel yesterday lunchtime.

Gentle words of welcome and expressions of gladness at being there were initially exchanged before real business started, the nagging unease that hangs over the Coca-Cola International Rules series after last year's much-reviled events in Australia.

Asked would he like to apologise for these, Australian coach Kevin Sheedy - behind whose image as a bluff Aussie jock lurks a diplomatic calculation so adroit he could give seminars in Iveagh House - didn't rise but managed to insert artfully his own message from the 2005 series.

"I don't have a problem apologising for that at all," he said about the notorious clothes-line foul by Chris Johnson on Philip Jordan. "What happened was an unfortunate incident. It was an unusual situation that came out of the blue on our team and our coaching staff as well.

"I also would make the comment that we played really well last year, played exciting football. I think that's been missed a lot. To kick 100 points was a marvellous achievement for the first game we played. I think that got lost in the three minutes of mayhem at the Telstradome."

That summed up the situation, as it surely has preyed on the minds of the Ireland management: never mind the psychosis, feel the scores.

Sheedy was nimble enough to sidestep an invitation to guarantee no re-occurences. "Obviously you'd love to give a guarantee but I'm not out there playing. But I'll say to the players, 'we don't want any of that'."

Those familiar with the Australian manager - the doyen of AFL coaches - from last year know that he takes very seriously his duty to large up the series and in this capacity he subtly held a mirror up to some of the advertising techniques used to sell out the two Tests. "I don't think anyone from Ireland's going to send Chris Johnson a box of chocolates but it's got an awful lot of interest in the game all of a sudden."

So much interest that Dermot Power, the GAA's commercial and marketing manager, said yesterday that the association had pulled all of its remaining advertising for the second Test and was now looking to secure the release of some capacity on Hill 16 that had been blocked off for refurbishment. The additional accommodation would push the potential crowd for the second Test up to the standard 82,000 plus for the first time in the international game's history.

If there is an urgent concern about Ireland's prospects it has to do with pace and mobility. Whereas Australia's ability to kick the round ball improved beyond recognition last year, a vital element in that improvement was the field positions they managed to establish.

Frequently Australia used pace to beat the cover defence, and loose marking allowed the passing player plenty of time to pick out a centrally positioned colleague, who then marked the ball for an often straightforward shot.

According to an analysis requested by GAA director general Liam Mulvihill, 60 per cent of the Australians' "overs" (the equivalent of points and worth three in the international game) were the product of marks created in scoreable positions. Ireland's figure was just 10 per cent.

Pearse Stadium's tighter confines will suit Ireland better and complement what's expected to be a far tighter marking detail. Sydney's Barry Hall presents a different problem in that he is much bigger than the typical player selected by Sheedy but equally he has excellent ball skills. Cork's Graham Canty did a good containment job on Hall in the second Test in 2003 but is out for the year with a damaged cruciate. Laois's Tom Kelly had a marvellous second Test at full back last year but he would be conceding a great deal of height.

Another area where Ireland will have to improve is in the use of the interchange. In last year's first Test in Perth, the Australians hit an immediate rhythm of replacing their players every 80 seconds while Ireland's equivalent rate came in at over six minutes.

It's always impossible to get an adequate fix on first Tests given the player turnover but there is a greater air of intent about Ireland this year.

Former Ireland captain Anthony Tohill has been very influential as a distinguished former practitioner. It may or may not be enough but a more competitive display is expected.

Ireland captain Kieran McGeeney struck a positive note when describing the game in optimistic - and, it is hoped, prophetic - terms: "It takes the best things of both codes, has non-stop movement and rewards moving the ball on. It's an aggressive sport. If you look at any other aggressive sport people do lose their tempers and things do happen that you can't legislate for. It's a wee bit unfair to highlight one or two incidents - it happens in all contact sports. When football is being played well we should home in on that."