Kerry say no to International Rules

March 05, 2008
Kerry County Board will be voting to scrap the International Rules series when Central Council convenes on March 17th next. The board has discussed the series at length and decided that, first and foremost, the lack of guarantees regarding the safety of the players left the continuation of the matches a non-runner. "The overriding concern of the delegates was the safety of the players playing for Ireland and because this could not be guaranteed, Kerry will be voting against the return of the international rules series," explained Kerry chairman Jerome Conway. "It was accepted that there had been an effort made to clean up the series and suspensions could be handed out and served in the domestic game in both countries. "However this would, of course, be after the foul deed was committed but delegates were not prepared to tolerate foul play on the scale witnessed in the last series with a promise that the culprits would be punished. "While the safety and protection of the amateur player was the main concern, there were other factors raised that means we will be saying 'no'". Conway explained that issues such as the impact of the series on club fixtures, player burnout and poaching of young talent all may have influenced the decision of the delegates.

Most Read Stories