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Does the International Rules series have a future?

The International Rules test between Ireland and Australia on Saturday night was deemed a success...



Does the International Rules s...
Football

Does the International Rules series have a future?

The International Rules test between Ireland and Australia on Saturday night was deemed a success from both the GAA and AFL as talks continue ahead of next years Series in Australia. 

Ireland won the one off match in Croke Park 56-52 as a two-test series looks set to return next year. The last time the teams played a two-test series was in 2013. 

Anthony Moyles joined Joe Molloy and Colm Parkinson on Off the Ball last night to discuss the future of the series. Both Moyles and Parkinson played in previous series for Ireland.

Moyles thought the quality of Irish players on show in Croke Park, shows that the series has a future. The Australians "seemed to want to win it" too according to the former Meath star. Parkinson added that "the novelty is gone" in the game, but he added "it does mean a good bit to the players" to represent their country.

Ireland's main advantage in the game comes with the use of a round ball, compared to the oval ball used in the AFL. "It's hard to watch" the Australian side struggle with the ball at times though, Parkinson added.

The two-test series is crucial to the future of the series both Moyles and Parkinson agreed. "I'd seek out tickets for this weekend" if there was a game Moyles told Joe Molloy as the game would have been finely poised ahead of a potential second test. 

"There needs to be a consistency" in the series with the same schedule used on a regular basis according to Moyles but he added there is no point sending the away team to the far side of the World for one game. 

"The needle could come back into it", Colm warned if the series returned to two tests. He said the needle could help gain more publicity for the game in Ireland.

A decision is expected to be made on the future  of the 2016 Series in the coming weeks. 

Does the International Rules series have a future?

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