Club versus country decision continues to disrupt Ireland

THE MAIN concern in the early years of the International Rules series was the extent to which the Australians would warm to it.

That question was convincingly answered in the first few series with reasonable attendances turning out and the bigger names in the AFL engaging with the game even if not all on an annual basis.

That appeal isn’t taken for granted any more. For a start, the Australians’ most successful game plan in recent years has involved selecting younger, faster players who are flexible enough to master the round ball and sufficiently athletic to prevent Ireland getting in adequate quantities of time and space on the ball.

The lack of box-office names has subdued the interest among AFL supporters and the attendances three years ago during the most recent series in Australia saw the poorest turn-out in Melbourne (42,823 – dwarfed by the scale of the newly developed MCG) since the series was resumed 13 years ago.

There is also the consideration that in the Australian game the off-season is a very busy time for players requiring running repairs. Feargal McGill is the GAA’s director of Games Administration and Player Welfare and the official most closely involved with managing the internationals.

“Their off-season is geared towards injury management,” he says, “which isn’t too surprising in a professional sport. From our discussions with the AFL they are still massively keen for the series to continue. They really value the outlet of an international dimension.”

Another factor is the sense that the series of rules adjustments necessary to keep Ireland competitive have tilted the international game too far away from the point where the Australians – already circumspect about the round ball and goalkeepers – can feel any ownership of the project.

The coming series will be important in gauging if there has been any revival in the series’ attractions but with an AFL panel featuring the highest number of debutants of any selected since the resumption and just two players who featured in this year’s All Australian awards, it’s looking like a hard sell.

Originally having to take the award winners was an imposition on the AFL coach, as not all were suited to the international game, but a number of this year’s award winners have successfully played against Ireland previously.

That’s the Australian side of things but what about the GAA’s appetite for the series?

Not hectic would be a fair answer.

The decision three years ago to shift the internationals to a three-year cycle, incorporating a gap year, has slowed the momentum and created uncertainty. Originally, the AFL were supposed to travel for the GAA’s 125th anniversary in 2009 but they withdrew for financial reasons, explaining that they’d be back the following year instead.

The gap year allows that sort of improvising but it was largely driven by the GAA as a concession to club activity in the autumn. This has proved largely cosmetic. The delay in completing county championships continues and the more latitude allowed to counties, the worse the problem gets.

In fact the situation has reached a crisis point for those in contention for international places.

In the past, whereas there were frequent disruptions caused to the home series by club matches being played on the same weekend as tests, the away series were rarely affected.

Now it is commonplace for players to have to make a hard choice and the travails of Ireland manager Anthony Tohill this week prove that the problem is getting worse.

It is customary for All-Ireland finalists to

fall behind in the running off of their county championships, but never before have Ireland travelled with such a low representation from the season’s top two sides.

Yesterday, the first players left for Melbourne and the first Test in six days’ time without even knowing the final composition of the squad, which awaits the outcome of club matches this weekend.

According to McGill, that chance to play for Ireland is a major part of the series’ appeal. “Anyone involved can’t fail to notice how thrilled players are to represent their country. That’s the main thing even though the promotional aspect is important and creates greater awareness of our sport. The last series went out on ESPN and will be extensively covered this time too.

“Then there’s the relationship with the AFL, which is valuable for both organisations and wouldn’t be as strong a connection without the series. The games also give the Irish community a lift in a way that exhibition games can’t really.

“Finally it’s important to get across the message that this doesn’t cost the GAA anything. The home series pays for the costs of sending a team to Australia. Most years we have a bit left over and the worst outcome is break-even.”

On the field Ireland have struggled, losing three of the last four series.

According to John O’Keeffe, whose involvement with Ireland extended over six series including two as manager, the players have become too inhibited about their own game.

“I know from speaking to some of the Irish lads (after last year’s series) that they feel if they had played more of their own game and had run more at Australia, particularly in the second Test, the Australians were vulnerable. I’d be hopeful that Ireland will do well in the first Test, as they’re up against an inexperienced AFL team.”

He believes Ireland’s tactical hesitancy has coincided with an evolution within the AFL towards a game closer than previously to International Rules while our own football has grown away from it.

“It’s pretty clear,” according to O’Keeffe, “that the Australian game itself is more mobile and more athletic, demanding greater support play and accommodating smaller players – that is not giants – who are able to get around the field and cover ground.

“I’m concerned that our football now overdoes the possession game. The tackle in International Rules means that you must get rid of the ball quickly and we need more of that instead of the emphasis on retaining the ball.”

Tactically and administratively, Ireland must raise their game.

Seán Moran’s first report from Melbourne will appear on Monday.