GAA presidential hopeful Aogan O'Fearghail (pictured) believes that the International rules series has run its course and that restoring the railway Cup to its former glory would be a much more rewarding venture for the GAA. The International rules series between Ireland and Australia was at its peak in the 1990s and 2000s but attendances and general public interest has dwindled in recent years. The railway Cup, on the other hand, is in need of a new lease of life and O'Fearghai's potential election this weekend could breathe new life into the historic competition.
If elected, O'Fearghail would be the first Cavan native to become GAA president and only the sixth Ulster man to hold the position in the organisation's history. The drumgoon man believes he would be taking over an organisation in "a strong position" and feels that expanding its influence overseas is an inevitability.
He also stressed the continued importance of the GAA staying on a firm financial footing with plenty of light now at the end of the tunnel after the recession. ''Most of our units don't have problems. We have come through this recession very, very well. The vast majority of our counties and our clubs have managed the situation really well,'' he said.
* Full interview p78-79