Talks underway for revival of International Rules series

A women's equivalent is also in the works.

It's starting to look increasing likely that the International Rules series will make a return after GAA president Jarlath Burns and AFL CEO Andrew Dillon sat down for talks in Australia this week.

The series, which began in 1984 hasn’t been played since 2017.

The competition is played using a set of compromise rules devised by both governing bodies. While the International Rules Series matches use some rules from Australian rules football, the field, ball and uniforms of both teams are derived from Gaelic football.

The countries are tied at 10 series wins each with Ireland winning 21 individual tests to Australia’s 19.

There were two drawn tests in 1999 and 2002.

The trophy on offer is named after former Tyrone footballer Cormac McAnallen, who died in 2004.

Jarlath Burns is in Australia this week to mark the 50th anniversary Australasia GAA, and to attend Saturday’s AFL Grand Final in the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.

According to the Irish Independent, both Burns and Dillon have held discussions around the potential of bringing back the hugely popular event, and even adding an equivalent female fixture.

Reports from down under suggest that Australia would travel to Ireland for the first series of matches and that the women’s games could be played alongside the men’s.

The series was axed as a result of violent on-field brawling that had marred separate events in the early years of the new millennium.

A proposed 2020 edition was cancelled due to Covid-19 and, in 2023, ex-GAA president Larry McCarthy ruled out a return of the International Rules Series for the foreseeable future.

According to Belfast Live, McCarthy claimed that the current GAA calendar would ask players to choose between their local club and representing their country, a situation he believed best to avoid.