Ireland's decisive second International Rules Test against Australia will be held in Melbourne this October, 24 hours before the Irish rugby world cup hopefuls tackle their Aussie counterparts in the same city.
The first International Rules Series match will take place in Perth on Friday, October 24th before the crucial second Test at the MCG on Friday, 31st October. Throw-in has been provisionally scheduled for 7.30 p.m. local time but is subject to confirmation.
Ireland relinquished the spoils when the AFL players toured Ireland last year, going down to a seven point aggregate deficit last October but will travel with confidence having emerged victorious on each of their last two visits to Australia.
Meanwhile, Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland take on the Rugby World Cup hosts at 8 p.m. the following evening in their final Pool A match in the city's Dockland's Stadium.
Irish sports fans planning the trip of a lifetime will also be able to take in the world renowned Melbourne Cup horserace, won last year by Dermot Weld's Media Puzzle. The Spring Racing Festival gets under way at the beginning of November at Melbourne's Flemington racecourse with the Cup itself taking place on November 4th.