International Rules series could take place in US next year

The GAA and AFL are actively exploring the possibility of staging the International Rules series outside Ireland or Australia every third year.

It has emerged from talks between the organisations, which took place around last weekend’s Test in Croke Park, that a decision in principle has been reached to stage next year’s series in New York provided logistical issues can be resolved.

These principally concern finding a suitable venue, as pitch sizes in standard American field sports are too small for International Rules. Options are, however, being considered and should it not be practical to go to New York in 2016, next year’s series will be played in Australia and will return to Ireland in 2017.

Dubai

If, however, it is possible to stage the event in New York, consideration will also be given eventually to holding every third series in a neutral country – Dubai is believed to have been mentioned.

Under that schedule, next year's series would be in the US, with 2017's being held in Australia and 2018's in Ireland.

Playing Tests in New York is something that has recently interested the Australians, who first mentioned the possibility last year and spent a few days there last week on the way to Ireland for this year’s Test.

Their coach Alastair Clarkson re-iterated the AFL interest at last week's pre-match media conference.

“We’re really keen to put that on as a spectacle to the world. Australia’s a long, long way away. It’s not very often that people are going to travel to Australia to watch our game so if we can somehow bring our game or elements of it to the rest of the world [that would be great] – and part of that is this series, which has been going for 30 years.

“It’s had its moments and it’s waned at different stages but if we’ve got a genuine belief we want to grow our code, then we need to travel abroad.”

The GAA have been more lukewarm about the idea, although after last year's Test in Perth, director general Páraic Duffy didn't close the door.

Huge Irish contingent

"In fairness, I wouldn't rule it out. They were talking originally about playing a match in New York or Boston or some place. When you see the turnout of Irish people yesterday and what it meant to them – there was a huge Irish contingent here – you could replicate that in a place like Boston."

One of the main difficulties for the GAA would be financial. The home Tests have up until now been able to generate enough revenue to fund the away trips to Australia but adding another overseas expedition to the three-year cycle would be costly.

It has emerged, however, that the AFL have advanced the possibility of being able to find promoters, who would be able to underwrite the New York series and cover the costs of the teams.