No International Rules this year

Sunday 1st May 2016

The International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia won't take place this year.

However, the series will return in 2017 for a two-game series in Australia, as well as an exhibition series in the US. Ireland are the current holders of the Cormac McAnallen Cup, having won last November's one-off test in Croke Park 56-52.

GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail said in a statement: "It was not possible to organise a two-game series in Australia this year and for that reason we have decided to take a long-term view of the series and press pause for 2016.

"The success of the last two series has been based on the ability of both teams to attract the finest talent to their ranks making for close, competitive and entertaining games.

"The aim of the series continuing in this vein is shared by both organisations and we believe these aspirations are best served by the staging of two games in a given year.

“We have committed to three Series for the moment, beginning in Australia in 2017 with the timing for the Irish and US events to be confirmed later in the year as to whether they should take place in consecutive years, every second year or some other combination.

"We look forward to working with the AFL in the planning of future series from 2017 onwards."

Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE *EDI*
Benny Coulter, during a team session for the International Rules game between Australia and Ireland in October 2003