GAA EXPECT AFL TO SIGN UP TO DEAL.

Byline: By PAT NOLAN 

GAA president Nickey Brennan expects the AFL to endorse proposals regarding player recruitment by next month.

Brennan and other highranking GAA officials met with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou last weekend.

Both sides discussed, among other things, the GAA's proposals that AFL clubs not be permitted to recruit players from Ireland younger than 19 and that there would be a limit on the number of Irish players at any one club.

Brennan said: "They're having another formal meeting in March and they will be back to us with a written response by the end of March.

"We don't envisage any great problems.

"There have only been about 13 players (that have gone out).

This is something that has been blown out of all proportion.

"Quite frankly it's about the numbers coming back."

On the surface there appears to be little for the AFL clubs to gain by backing proposals but Brennan doesn't see them presenting an obstacle.

Meanwhile it was also agreed that both International Rules Tests will take place on Saturday nights, most likely to be October 24 and 31.

The first Test will take place at a provincial venue, likely to be in Ulster, while the second Test will be held at Croke Park.

Brennan added: "There's a better atmosphere with a floodlit game.

"It also suits the transmission of the game in Australia for television."

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DISCUSSION Demetriou