CLARKE GETS COLL FOR CROKE PARK; GAA: ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP.

Byline: By AHMER KHOKHAR

MARTIN Clarke could be in line for his first taste of hybrid Rules on the hallowed turf of Croke Park if Aussie giants Collingwood succeed in their ambitious plans to play an Irish side as part of their pre-season plans in November.

The match would cap a busy end of season programme for the former Down minor star who is a near certainty to represent Ireland in the resurrected international Rules Series in Perth and Melbourne on October 24 and 31.

Collingwood chief-executive Gary Pert said that while Collingwood's opposition had not been confirmed for the Croke Park fixture negotiations were well underway with the GAA.

"The international series doesn't really affect the game we are looking at," he said.

"It is as much about fitting into the fixture and availability of Croke Park, but we are still in those discussions right at the moment.

"The international series will be here {in Australia}, and we will be playing over in Ireland."

Pert said all of the Collingwood players who are likely to be selected were looking forward to representing their countries in the first Rules Series since the annual contest was indefinitely postponed after the violence which scarred the 2006 Test matches in Ireland.

Pert is also keen for the Croke Park fixture to be given the green light this year instead of in 2009 when the GAA will mark its 125th anniversary.

Clarke's pre-season programme will continue with a post-Christmas training camp at altitude in America or South Africa.

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