Jarlath Burns has confirmed that the GAA and AFL are to meet about future player recruitment protocols.

This comes after a summer dominated by the surging presence of GAA players in the AFL, headlined by Mayo star Kobe McDonald making the move Down Under to St Kilda after winning the All-Ireland title with the Westerners.

However, AFL clubs have also stepped up their recruiting in Ireland, with multiple combines being held in search of players, many of whom are yet to make senior appearances, who fit the profile of AFL stars.

Multiple age-grade players, like Dublin’s minor star Cian Raftery and Kerry U20 All-Ireland-winning midfield duo Daniel Kirby and Evan Boyle, have reportedly been offered lucrative deals to move to Aussie Rules, with Boyle going on trial with Richmond.

And while it looks like there’s no way of preventing AFL sides from bringing in players from Ireland, GAA President Jarlath Burns is looking to bring in better protocol on how such recruitment occurs.

Speaking in Verona, where the GAA announced plans to establish a new club, Burns said, ‘The interest that the AFL has in our Gaelic players is something that we are keeping a very close eye on.

‘We are in talks with the AFL about putting some sort of a protocol in place, possibly such as changing the category of player that goes from category B Rookie to category A, and that might self-regulate it in time’

‘But certainly we are meeting representatives of the AFL before the end of the month, and this issue is going to be top of the agenda with us in the GAA.’

There are 60 Irish athletes contracted across both the AFL and AFLW, with dozens more reportedly considering making the move to Australia.

Kerry County Board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan has said that the current trajectory of players being recruited to Aussie Rules cannot continue. ‘The GAA cannot continue to pretend there is nothing wrong here. Action has to be taken,’ he said.

‘There is a lack of regulation and we need the AFL to acknowledge the work that has been invested in these young players through compensation or equipment or otherwise. We need regulation of this practice and I’m calling on the GAA to deal with this as a matter of urgency.

‘I am aware of some young players receiving gift packs from some AFL clubs with an Aussie Rules ball and they are being asked to practice with it. This is not acceptable to us and rules have to be put in place as this is leading to unnecessary stress to clubs and members.’