Next Friday morning, International Rules will visit our screens for the first time since 2006. Following the violent scenes that marred the second test in Croke Park two years ago, the concept is very much on probation with both camps fully aware that any further flashpoints could spell the end for the hybrid game.
The International Rules series will always divide opinion in GAA circles. The opportunity to represent your country is one of the greatest honours in sport and this series is the sole means that a Gaelic footballer can fulfill such an ambition. In addition, it rewards players from the so-called weaker counties, such as Wicklow's Leighton Glynn, with the opportunity to showcase
their talents in front of a wider audience. On the flip-side, there is the disruption caused to an already bulging GAA calendar plus the consistent undermining of the Martin Donnelly Interprovincial competitions.
There has been much speculation as to the motives behind the resurrection of the series. Mickey Harte, the most high-profile opponent of International Rules, believes that it is to the detriment of our game that we are showcasing our young talent to potential Australian Football League (AFL ) suitors. While the future of International Rules is far from guaranteed beyond the short-term, the subject of Gaelic football players taking up AFL contracts is here to stay.
The AFL plans to expand its domestic competition from 16 to 18 teams by 2012. To fasttrack their development, the two new sides coming on board will be awarded extra concessions when recruiting Australia's best young talent through the national draft system. This has resulted in existing AFL clubs actively looking at alternative options, with Ireland standing out as an obvious breeding ground for players suited to the AFL skill set. Leading Australian sports agent Ricky Nixon openly admitted as much earlier this year when stating that Gaelic football is relatively untapped in terms of its recruitment potential by the AFL.
The success of Tadhg Kennelly, one of the premier half-backs in the AFL, and the advanced progress of Martin Clarke, an All-Ireland minor winner with Down in 2005, has only served to strengthen that belief in Australia. Over the past few seasons, there has been an sharp increase in the number of Irish recruits such as the Ó'hAilpín brothers, Colm Begley, Pearce Hanley and more recently Kyle Coney, the star of Tyrone's All-Ireland minor triumph last month. Over the next two or three
years, it is expected there will be an even greater pull on Gaelic football talent by AFL clubs.
During the summer, a war of words erupted between Kennelly and Nixon. While pointing out that clubs such as Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood and Sydney Swans are more advanced in their development and management of Irish players in comparison to other AFL clubs, the Listowel man voiced legitimate concerns around players recruited via 'draft camps' set up by Nixon. With demand for GAA players set to rise, Kennelly urged Irish players to consider all options and thoroughly
examine any offers made before committing to an AFL career. Although they are ultimately power-less to stop a young footballer pursuing the dream of playing professional sport, the GAA top brass have a responsibility to guard the welfare of GAA players in this area.
Back to the series itself, the next fortnight is all about rebuilding after the events of 2006. Negotiations involving GAA President Nicky Brennan, Director General Padraic Duffy and their AFL counterparts have revived the series. In light of the conduct of the Australian players, new coach Mick Malthouse admitted in recent weeks that sportsmanship was a key factor when assessing player credentials ahead of his squad selection. Brennan has been at pains to point out that the GAA and AFL have worked hard on all disciplinary aspects this time around. Unlike previous series, there is a deterrent in place with players facing suspension in domestic competitions should they be found guilty of any breaches of discipline.
While captain Brent Harvey and his deputy Campbell Brown have experience of the hybrid game, all but six of the 25-man Australian squad are International Rules novices. Similarly, almost two-thirds of Seán Boylan's Irish squad are experiencing involvement in an International Rules series for the first time. Seán Cavanagh, who declined an offer to join the Brisbane Lions in 2005, captains an Irish squad that includes two Galway representatives, Finian Hanley and Michael Meehan.
Colm Begley is the only Australian-based Irish player to make the trip. Shoulder and knee surgery has ruled out Tadhg Kennelly while Martin Clarke also misses out through injury.
With the spirit of the series integral to its survival, player discipline being put under the microscope and so many International Rules debutants involved, it is hoped we will witness a series to be remembered for positive reasons.
