World Footy News

The 2009 International Rules Series will be deferred for 12 months, the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) announced today. AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said he had spoken to GAA Director General Paraic Duffy on a number of occasions over the last week and the two organisations had agreed to defer the series to October 2010, with two Tests to be played then in Ireland.

Australia had been due to tour Ireland after both country's respective seasons conclude this September, but Mr Demetriou said the world economic situation had caused a major re-think for the AFL, prompting it to seek to defer the series for 12 months. Mr Demetriou said the decision to postpone the series for 12 months had been a difficult decision to make as the AFL valued the GAA relationship very strongly, and the AFL had given its commitment it would tour Ireland for two Test matches in October 2010.

"The relationship with the GAA and the exchange of information over the last decade has been extremely important to us for the growth of the AFL as an organisation," Mr Demetriou said. "The current global situation has severely impacted on the sponsorship and support opportunities available for sporting organisations around the world and we needed to make a responsible decision and wait for 12 months.

"I'd like to thank the GAA for their professionalism and understanding in working through this decision, which indicates how strong our relationship continues to be. "We are confident that the global market can continue its gradual return to strength and we and the GAA can plan over this 12 months for a fantastic series next year," he said. GAA President Christy Cooney said the GAA was disappointed with the outcome after considerable preparation work had already been put in place, but was understanding of the circumstances behind the decision and was pleased there was a commitment to resume the matches in 2010.

Since competition between Australia and Ireland resumed in 1999, the two countries have played 10 series with both teams winning five apiece. Ireland holds a 10-8 advantage, with two draws, from the 20 Test matches played.