International Rules Series: Seán Moran runs a diagnostic rule over the hybrid series and finds it generally healthy.

International Rules has always been high maintenance. The improbability of the concept has made it insecure and in need of constant reassurance. Yet, stepping back from the experience of the past six years, it's clear the series was firmly established from the night 64,000 turned up at the MCG four years ago and demonstrated this particular pony would run in Australia.

But there is still fretting about the game's long-term health and constant monitoring of its vital signs to check all is well. This isn't purely hypochondria; after all, within the last year three counties - Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone - formally moved that the series be abandoned.

Yet, despite the reservations of some, the concept moves from strength to strength. The Australian football public has never been as open to the game nor as understanding of the compromises Ireland make in relation to the tackle and the physical nature of the international game.

The reaction to the violent, albeit sporadic, incidents that occurred in the first Test was surprising. The Australian media reacted strongly and the calls by high-profile columnists for Premiership suspensions to be introduced as punishment for international transgressions slightly irritated the AFL.

Realistically, the AFL is unlikely to support the introduction of suspensions in that it would give clubs an incentive to discourage participation. If a compromise is necessary, the AFL's pre-season tournament games might be an option, although it's not clear whether that would hit Matthew Scarlett harder than being ruled out of next year's trip to Ireland, as he is under current disciplinary arrangements.

Following the success of this series the AFL and GAA moved to extend their agreement until 2012 and also began discussions about the game's long-term future - specifically an extra Test and shorter playing periods. We'll return to those matters presently but it's worth making a couple of points about the Tests.

For the first time Ireland were badly hit by withdrawals and it's hard to avoid the wistful feeling that had Seamus Moynihan, Tadhg Kennelly and Trevor Giles been fit, the narrow seven-point final deficit would have been reduced if not overturned.

But it has to be conceded Australia annually lose out on the participation of great players because of the numbers that have to use the close-season for surgical attention.

Of course, Australia can more easily bear this loss of quality and it's a cloud on the GAA's horizon that Ireland could soon struggle regularly. There is a sense Gaelic football isn't producing great international players at the same rate as previously.

Only Graham Canty and, this year, Steven McDonnell have emerged as exceptional talents at this level. Yet, in the years ahead, the Moynihans of the world are going to have to be replaced.

On a more positive note the officiating in this series was excellent. The AFL's Stephen McBurney won plaudits from GAA officials for his clarity and impartiality. Wexford's Brian White also played his part in making this a series without major refereeing controversy.

Media coverage of the series also expanded encouragingly. In a city groaning under a smorgasbord of sporting events, International Rules more than held its own in terms of back-page visibility against rugby and horse racing - as, to be fair, you'd expect in Melbourne, the AFL's capital city.

There have been suggestions that the respective television companies, RTÉ and Channel 9, might like the matches tweaked for broadcast purposes: Irish audiences could put up with early morning starts more easily on a Saturday whereas Australians would prefer a midday start in Dublin.

Both organisations would want to tread warily in this regard. The match attendances have been the most vibrant signs of public interest and it would be a mistake to endanger that by chasing notional television audiences.

Another innovation under discussion is the three-Test series. Despite the financial attractions of an expanded series, neither Australia's coach Garry Lyon nor captain Shane Crawford were overly enthused at the prospect floated by Irish manager John O'Keeffe. Both cited the pressure on players to find two weeks for the series as currently constituted. Even the idea of playing Sunday, Sunday and Friday, or even Wednesday, in successive weeks would still extend the tour by the best part of a week.

Furthermore, Irish team doctor Con Murphy is sceptical about his team's physiological capacity to play a third Test in quick succession and the accumulated reservations in either hemisphere mean such a move is likely to be ruled out for the short and medium term - at least.

One counter-argument suggests shorter matches and bigger panels would ease the burden on the Irish players but that doesn't do anything for the Australians.

In any event the rush to cut the playing time and even review the tackle smacks of desperation.

In the past, Ireland have coped with the fourth quarter. If the past two years have been different then climatic conditions played a role in Croke Park 12 months ago whereas injuries and a rather ring-rusty interchange rotation had an impact last Friday.

If a strong trend asserts itself then game duration can be reassessed but the 80-minute format has provided a competitive framework over the years. The countries have five series each and both have won 11, with two drawn. Even the aggregate points total puts Ireland ahead by just 21 points, 1352-1331, over the course of 24 matches.

Until this fine balance is no longer in evidence playing time should be left alone. There is a danger in Ireland seeking to tweak the rules every time a series is lost - both in terms of the threat to clarity and the suggestion of petulance it projects.

The same goes for the tackle. It's hard for the Irish players to adapt but although the term "compromise" has been dropped from the name of the game, it's as well to recognise it still forms the basis of the accommodation between the sports.

If the GAA would like to improve matters there are a few things within their capacity as things stand. Apparently unconcerned by the need to pass the job around, the AFL have played to win by sticking with managers as long as they can. Lyon will have served for four seasons by the time his term ends next year.

And in the background Jim Stynes and Gerard Healy have been constantly involved since the series resumed in 1998. Of the current Irish management only O'Keeffe has been previously involved and he believes he will be replaced now his two-year term is over. Appointing the manager is one of the perks of the GAA president.

All of the appointments to date have proved their case but if O'Keeffe's two years were the least successful, he should be judged against the rising graph of the Australian challenge. Last Friday's display at the MCG was as good as Ireland have given and it would be crazy not to involve O'Keeffe further, particularly as his intercounty commitments are now over.

A committee on International Rules is needed to oversee not just the appointment of managers and selectors but the whole GAA structure for the future. Until such time as that is established, there should be no taking chances with the team management.

One ominous note was sounded at the end of the series. There has been more speculation than ever about the prospect of Irish players making a go of AFL careers. The two top of the list have been Canty and McDonnell.

The Armagh forward, who is still 24, was mentioned by former Australia manager and television analyst Dermott Brereton as a potential recruit. More to the point McDonnell himself said he wouldn't mind giving it a try.

There is, however, scepticism about the capacity of players any older than 17 or 18 to make the necessary adjustments. "They're too old to make the switch. I think once you get into your 20s at all you are too old," was O'Keeffe's reaction to media speculation.

There is of course a more pressing reason than the adaptability of players for playing down the prospect.

The counties would simply put a halt to the series if top senior players started to make the transition in any numbers, so we can be sure the GAA will impress on the AFL the need to treat this matter with due delicacy. There's been enough grumbling at the underage recruitment of Tadhg Kennelly and Nicholas Walsh (now finished in Melbourne and on his way home to Cavan).

Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the inaugural series in the GAA's centenary year. Compared to the wild scenes of almost gothic violence that characterised those early years, International Rules is unrecognisable. Modern, (by and large) disciplined and above all, lightning fast, the game has come a long way.