Following his programme notes last Sunday, GAA president Seán Kelly has further praised the manner in which Waterford hurler John Mullane accepted the suspension handed down by the Games Administration Committee. Kelly commended Mullane's "loyalty and courage" regarding the one-match ban that effectively ended his intercounty season.

"It's very rare that a player who commits an offence behaves so honourably and so honestly. Everyone makes mistakes. I always say give young people a second chance. In this situation what we saw (of Mullane) was his very worst by getting put off, but then we saw the very best.

"He showed everything that is good about the association; honesty, integrity, commitment to the association and respect for the rules."

"We hope other people will follow his example. You respect the rules of the association and one of the rules, I don't know about its legal standing or not but it's in the rulebook, says there is no recourse to a court of law. Obviously, he respects the rules. He put his hands up and just got on with it."

The option of taking a GAC suspension to the High Court - in search of an interlocutory injunction - was successfully undertaken by Westmeath's Rory O'Connell this summer. It led to the midfielder being allowed to play in the Leinster final and again this weekend, when he should be serving a 12-week ban.

Kelly stressed the need to deny this alternative to players in the future by firstly challenging such moves in court and secondly, overhauling the current disciplinary system. A committee set up by Kelly is already examining the structures of the GAC. He referred to the set-up in his native Kerry as an ideal model as it has separate bodies for discipline and fixtures.

Kelly also stated that by postponing a suspension in a sporting body it means the individual gets off. At present, Croke Park has not contested O'Connell's case, although Kelly believes they should be challenged to protect the authority of the GAA.

"Postponement means the suspension doesn't have any baring once the competition is over. It's a big problem from the association's point of view that people can take injunctions and there is no decisions made."

"Personally, I think we should challenge all these cases. If a judge says there is a case to hear I think we should hear it and let a decision be made. Whether it's right or wrong. If the situation is left indefinitely in limbo and no decision is made you are going to encourage more and more people to do it."

A new disciplinary set-up is the president's preferred option, but he did pour hot water on the ideal of a full-time officer's role. However, he did admit that the GAC is too slow in dealing with issues, due to an overload of work.

Kelly also said that both International Rules tests are likely to be played in Croke Park this year. The option of playing one match in Belfast's Casement Park was ruled out after funding was not made available by the British government. In contrast, a hurling grant does appear to be forthcoming from the Irish Government.

Kelly was speaking at the launch of the 35th annual All-Ireland Poc Fada, which takes place in the Cooley Mountains, in Louth, this Saturday. Several of the island's top hurlers, including Davy Fitzgerald and Brendan Cummins, will attempt to take the All-Ireland title off Louth's Paul Dunne.

It was also confirmed that a new formal national committee is to be set up to increase the competition's profile and longevity. A chairman will be appointed with provincial representatives. In future, players will be forced to qualify through their provinces and a veteran's and juvenile section has also been proposed. This year, the first official women's event takes place.

Meanwhile, the GAA have announced that there are no more tickets available for tomorrow's All-Ireland football quarter-final double header at Croke Park. No tickets were returned from the four counties involved.

However, tickets have been sent back from Cork ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final. They will be on sale from the ticket office at the rear of the Cusack Stand today and tomorrow - and, if available, from the usual ticket outlets around the Croke Park area on Sunday.

Peter Cregan, one of four surviving members of the Limerick senior hurling team which beat Kilkenny in the 1940 All-Ireland final, has died.

Cregan, aged 89, retired from intercounty fare in 1947. He is survived by his wife Frances and other family members.