Down opposed to Rules revival

Down county board are set to oppose plans to revive the International Rules series.

It follows an agreement between the GAA and AFL on a new set of disciplinary guidelines aimed at ’cleaning up’ the hybrid series which was suspended last year following the violent scenes which marred the 2005 and 2006 series.

But Down, who have already lost Martin Clarke to the AFL and may also lose Paul McComiskey later this year after he was offered a trial by the Brisbane Lions, will oppose any move to refloat the controversial series when it comes before Central Council.

"The issue of the International Rules came up at our meeting and there was unanimous agreement that the series should not be revived," explained county board spokesman Diarmuid Cahill.

"Feelings were high. I don’t think anyone spoke in favour of it being restarted again. We didn’t see anything that could be gained from it."