Rules series for Galway and Dublin

This year's International Rules series between Ireland and Australia will be staged in Galway and Dublin and both games could…

This year's International Rules series between Ireland and Australia will be staged in Galway and Dublin and both games could be played under lights.

Pearse Stadium and Croke Park will host the two-test series on the weekends of October 29th and November 5th respectively.

It is the first time since 1984 - when a game was staged in Cork - that a senior international test match has been played outside the capital.

In Australia it is commonplace to travel and play tests in different cities.  Last year's games were played in Perth and Melbourne.

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Both games could be played under lights on the respective Saturdays.  This will be the case at Croke Park if the planned-for floodlights are in place.

Such lighting - which will be required for two of the Republic of Ireland's four soccer internationals in 2007 - is still subject to planning permission.

The application was lodged last month following an independent study into the impact of the lights on the local area. Residents are unhappy at the prospect of night-time matches.

Last year's series 'Down Under' was marred by a number of unsavoury disciplinary incidents and the GAA's director general, Liam Mulvihill, believes the concept is on its last chance.

"My personal opinion is that if there are further serious incidents our counties won't stand for it," he told The Irish Times.

"I know some people accuse us of hypocrisy in that our own games are as bad but some of what went on in the international rules was a lot more dangerous than what goes on here and we were lucky that a player wasn't seriously injured."

Mulvihill suggested the series could move to a two-year cycle although he denied a decision had yet been finalised.

In January, a number of counties called for the abolition of the series.

Finally, a nationwide series of fitness workshops aimed at coaching staff have been announced by the Gaelic Players Association.

Topics such as nutrition, the physical demands and needs of players as well as the role of strength training will be addressed at the one-day seminars.

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell says the workshops - which are run in conjunction with Dr Liam Hennessy - form part of an ongoing educational drive to raise standards in the game.

The series begins in DCU on Saturday, March 25th from 9-5pm.  Details of other meetings can be obtained from the GPA at info@gaelicplayers.com or http://www.clubenergise.ie/