The future of the International Rules Series will become clearer within the next week or so. Croke Park officials are expecting to receive a response from the AFL, outlining their views on the prospects of the series proceeding on a secure footing.
The GAA have already written to their Australian counterparts making their own observations on the international project, which is facing a potentially final series next autumn after a number of setbacks in recent years that have seen uncompetitive Test matches and plummeting attendances.
Among the most important influences will be the outcome of discussions between the AFL and their clubs with a view to ensuring a higher quality of Australian selection after a couple of series in which they have been badly beaten.
Stand down
Yesterday's news from Melbourne that AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou is to stand down at the end of this year is privately accepted by GAA sources as being a potentially positive development for the series, as the departing head of the Australian game was regarded as not being particularly supportive of the internationals.
It was Demetriou’s initiative to make last year’s visiting Australian team an all-indigenous selection, a proposal that was publicly advanced without any consultation with the GAA. Although it was an historic venture for the indigenous footballers involved, it was ultimately seen to restrict the AFL choice to too great a degree.
The series turned out to be one-sided and poorly attended, attracting the lowest aggregate crowds in Ireland since the series was inaugurated 30 years ago. Demetriou didn’t travel to attend the matches.
His deputy Gillon McLachlan, who is the early favourite to be the next CEO, did come to Ireland and made a favourable impression on GAA officials in respect of his interest in and enthusiasm for restoring the internationals to a firmer footing.
In charge
Ireland manager Paul Earley will again be in charge for this year's Tests in the autumn but unless the series attracts both the engagement of a sufficient number of the top AFL players and the attention of the public (whose attendance numbers have dropped as much as here), the internationals are likely to be abandoned.
Former Footballer of the Year, Tyrone’s Stephen O’Neill (33) is expected to miss the remainder of the league campaign after undergoing ankle surgery last Friday. In his absence Mickey Harte’s team have got off to a good start and are unbeaten in their three matches to date.
The inability to take part in those fixtures persuaded last year’s captain to opt for an operation in order to clear up the problem and target recovery in time for the championship clash with Down on May 18th .
