Australia will travel to Ireland in 2009 for another two-Test series, however the long-term future of the concept appears less certain despite governing bodies having it penciled in beyond next year.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou met with GAA president Nickey Brennan and director-general Paraic Duffy on Wednesday, with the future of the International Rules series among the agenda items.
Demetriou, flanked by the two GAA officials, announced that Australia would return to Ireland next season, with matches scheduled for October 24 – with the venue yet to be confirmed – and also on November 1, at Croke Park in Dublin.
“All things being equal we’re looking forward to going to Ireland next year to help the GAA celebrate their 125th year, just as they’ve helped us celebrate our 150th year,” Demetriou said.
The AFL and GAA were thrilled with the manner in which the first Test was played by both nations following a one-year hiatus.
But games between Australia and Ireland will not be played every year, with Brennan saying a break every third year was on the cards.
The GAA boss said Ireland would return in 2011, with Australia to make the return trip in 2012 before another year off in 2013.
However the plans are just that, and while officials were praising this year’s series and the revised rules, Brennan made it clear the future of the series was not written in stone.
He said that was subject to approval from the GAA’s Central Council – Ireland’s equivalent of the AFL Commission – as well as all future matches between the counties being played in “the appropriate manner”.
While the threat of on-field violence in International matches is one thing, the GAA made it clear its major concern centres on the player drain from its own competition and its county teams.
The AFL and GAA spoke at length about the issue during talks on Wednesday, with the Irish body eager for the AFL to impose restrictions that might limit the number of promising youngsters leaving their shores.
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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