World Footy News

The 2010 International Rules Series has been confirmed for October 2010, the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) announced today.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou and GAA Director General Paraic Duffy today said they had spoken on a number of occasions since the New Year and the two organisations had agreed to resume the series in October, with two Tests to be played in Ireland on October 23 (Limerick) and October 30 (Dublin).

The series was not played in 2009 after the impact of the world economic situation in early 2009 prompted the AFL to ask the GAA to agree 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 and he was delighted that Australia would now be able to return to Ireland in a bid to try and regain the Cormac McAnallen trophy, won by Ireland in 2008. "The series between Australia and Ireland has drawn tremendous crowds in both countries and players from both codes have appreciated the chance they get to represent their country at international level," Mr Demetriou said.

"The Irish team was too strong for us when we last met on Australian soil at the end of 2008, and Mick Malthouse and his coaching staff are eager to test ourselves on Irish soil in a bid to square the ledger once more."

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy said Ireland would host a Test in the south of Ireland in Limerick for the first time since competition was resumed in 1998, having played in Galway in the west country during the 2004 and 2006 series. “We are delighted that the Australians are back in Ireland to play this year and we are all looking forward to an enjoyable two games in October,” Mr Duffy said. “Each player deems it a great honour to put on an Irish jersey in an international setting and values the experience of playing with players from other counties (to represent Ireland).”

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.
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