IRELAND WILL PLAY Australia in a one-off International Rules Test at Patersons Stadium in Perth on 22 November.
The winner-takes-all match replaces the two Test format and will also see the AFL allowed to select from a wider playing group, rather than just the indigenous selection that travelled to Ireland, and were soundly beaten, in 2013.
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GAA president Liam O’Neill commented, “After the conclusion of the 2013 Series, we expressed our genuine fears for the future of International Rules if the best players from both countries were unable to commit to their national sides.
Both Associations agreed that the one sided nature of the last two series has had a major effect on attendances and general public interest; it is obvious to us all that if this trend is not reversed in 2014, it will be difficult to argue that there is any sustainable future for the game at this point in time.”
O’Neill believes the November date, which will not clash with major fixtures in either country, should ensure greater participation of Australian and Irish players. He added, however, that a sell-out crowd in November would convince both the GAA and AFL that the series has a future.
Paul Earley will once again manage the Ireland squad Down Under with a backroom team of Tony Scullion, Seamus McCarthy, Ja Fallon and Nicholas Walsh.
Michael Murphy and Aidan Walsh lift the IRS cup in 2013. INPHO / James Crombie
INPHO / James Crombie / James Crombie
AFL general manager of football operations, Mark Evans declared, “Australian and Irish fans want to see a spectacular and competitive contest played between the most talented AFL players and Ireland’s best Gaelic footballers. We are determined to restore the prestige and popularity of the International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland.”
He continued, “Ireland’s players have proved extremely keen and competitive in recent times and so we simply cannot afford to put forward anyone less than the AFL’s best players. By limiting selection to All Australian players, by scheduling the Test later in the year at the end of most players’ leave, and by amending the rules we believe we will field a strong and competitive Australian side that will re-establish the event’s standing in the eyes of fans.”
Will be a massive difference if the afl are only selecting all Australians. That will mean the very cream of the crop will play Ireland. Last years australia team was full of nobodies, maybe 3 of the top players in the game. Looking forward to it now
We (Ireland) will get destroyed and I’d be concerned for the players they put out. Amateurs versus the very best AFL professionals will be no contest and I hope nobody gets hurt too badly.
Players get as nice trip to oz, chance to represent their country. And some players from lower profile counties get a chance to experience playing in wonderful stadiums. The game itself ain’t hectic, but it’s not harming anyone! And the GAA bigwigs get a nice trip every second year…
Wow! So much negativity! I will probably attend as I love both codes. The AFL is well-supported over here; there is absolutely no chance of the rugby overtaking it in terms of popularity. Maybe don’t comment on things you don’t know anything about?
Perth being a five hour flight from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane is the equivalent of holding the Irish return game on Rockall… that’s the death of this hybrid game.
Afl desperate to keep this serious going, they desperately want Aussie rules an international sport, “will never happen”. Their crowd numbers are down, the rugby “super 14″ doing great and the a-league “soccer” numbers are up and now they have teams playing the the Asian champions league the sport is growing rapidly. Drug scandal last year and the handling of it didn’t help the afl either. The sport is being overtaken and they are desperate.
The AFL is, by a moonlight mile, the best supported and most watched sport in Aus irrespective of a scandal last year involving one club and involving supplements which weren’t banned by the AFL. Indeed it’s re AFL that has downgraded the series by failing regularly, not just last year, to bring their best players. The notion that they somehow need this one game desperately is laughable.
Do you mean the super 15? Rugby union is a dying game in australia, the attendances at the matches are pathetic and those that do follow the sport are generally south african or new Zealand expats. Afl is still and will always be the dominant sport in victoria, south australia, and western australia so to say the game is dying is a lie.
Complete waste of money, how much will it cost to ship a panel of some 30 players to Australia for a week or two, for a one of game that nobody gives a monkeys about. While the players deserve the trip, just put the money into a holiday fund instead for the players.
Have to agree with Alan O’Connor on this one Aussie Rules is huge down here big game days massive stadiums big wages doctors,physios,dietitions you name it they get! There the ones downgrading this to the dead rubber! At this stage can’t see the point in playing the game other than the GAA headboys getting a holiday to Oz!
Whoever’s paying for this trip, it’s costing a lot of money, minimum €200k. Whilst players want to represent their country, the fact is that both Gaelic Football and Hurling aren’t international sports. Most of us GAA fans would love to see our players being rewarded with international recognition but this hybrid Aussie rules & Shinty is not the answer. We’d be better off spending the money on marketing the sports to bigger audiences in key international markets.
AFL is the sport of choice in 3 states. Aussie Rules/International Rules however is a joke. I don’t know one Australian who would bother with it!! Waste off money sending the players over.
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When there was mindless violence it was great to watch.
Will be a massive difference if the afl are only selecting all Australians. That will mean the very cream of the crop will play Ireland. Last years australia team was full of nobodies, maybe 3 of the top players in the game. Looking forward to it now
We (Ireland) will get destroyed and I’d be concerned for the players they put out. Amateurs versus the very best AFL professionals will be no contest and I hope nobody gets hurt too badly.
Series is dead, just finish it off lads.
Jaysus stop flogging a dead horse already
Here’s hoping Graham Geraghty gets to play so I can see the smug bollox getting knocked the f*** out again.
By those Aussie Neanderthals?
You know him so well.
Players get as nice trip to oz, chance to represent their country. And some players from lower profile counties get a chance to experience playing in wonderful stadiums. The game itself ain’t hectic, but it’s not harming anyone! And the GAA bigwigs get a nice trip every second year…
Wow! So much negativity! I will probably attend as I love both codes. The AFL is well-supported over here; there is absolutely no chance of the rugby overtaking it in terms of popularity. Maybe don’t comment on things you don’t know anything about?
Great-another ripoff event for Perth in that awful stadium
Perth being a five hour flight from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane is the equivalent of holding the Irish return game on Rockall… that’s the death of this hybrid game.
Afl desperate to keep this serious going, they desperately want Aussie rules an international sport, “will never happen”. Their crowd numbers are down, the rugby “super 14″ doing great and the a-league “soccer” numbers are up and now they have teams playing the the Asian champions league the sport is growing rapidly. Drug scandal last year and the handling of it didn’t help the afl either. The sport is being overtaken and they are desperate.
The AFL is, by a moonlight mile, the best supported and most watched sport in Aus irrespective of a scandal last year involving one club and involving supplements which weren’t banned by the AFL. Indeed it’s re AFL that has downgraded the series by failing regularly, not just last year, to bring their best players. The notion that they somehow need this one game desperately is laughable.
Super 14?
Do you mean the super 15? Rugby union is a dying game in australia, the attendances at the matches are pathetic and those that do follow the sport are generally south african or new Zealand expats. Afl is still and will always be the dominant sport in victoria, south australia, and western australia so to say the game is dying is a lie.
Sher even rugby league is bigger then union in Aus.
Complete waste of money, how much will it cost to ship a panel of some 30 players to Australia for a week or two, for a one of game that nobody gives a monkeys about. While the players deserve the trip, just put the money into a holiday fund instead for the players.
#pointless
Pointless exercise, its only to keep the blazers in Croke Park and wherever the AFL blazers are located happy, fed and watered on a foriegn junket
Have to agree with Alan O’Connor on this one Aussie Rules is huge down here big game days massive stadiums big wages doctors,physios,dietitions you name it they get! There the ones downgrading this to the dead rubber! At this stage can’t see the point in playing the game other than the GAA headboys getting a holiday to Oz!
Whoever’s paying for this trip, it’s costing a lot of money, minimum €200k. Whilst players want to represent their country, the fact is that both Gaelic Football and Hurling aren’t international sports. Most of us GAA fans would love to see our players being rewarded with international recognition but this hybrid Aussie rules & Shinty is not the answer. We’d be better off spending the money on marketing the sports to bigger audiences in key international markets.
it used to break even before, when they got crowds at it.
I enjoy it. think itll be better with the top oz players, once off match is far better, two legs dont have the same impact.
AFL is the sport of choice in 3 states. Aussie Rules/International Rules however is a joke. I don’t know one Australian who would bother with it!! Waste off money sending the players over.