AFL decision to defer Rules Series trip a frustrating blow
There we were, with the dates in our diaries and looking forward to watching the International Rules Series at the Gaelic Grounds and Croke Park. Limerick was going to be a great occasion. It was going to be the first time that the redeveloped Gaelic Grounds was going to be floodlit and filled to capacity while the affair was going to generate at least €10m to the local economy. Now all of a sudden, the Treaty City faces another economic body blow.
Nobody saw this coming and the reason given by the AFL is barely plausible — the recession. Now, we all know that the recession is worldwide but is much worse here than in many other countries. Australia isn’t half as badly hit as Ireland and anyway this recession has been going on for almost a year. How does it suddenly dawn on the AFL that it would be uneconomic to travel to Ireland in 2009? Granted, in recessionary times, sponsorship is harder to come by. But the International Rules have been able to make a profit consistently and all the indications were that both Limerick and Croke Park would have generated plenty surplus cash. Indeed, the games in Ireland have, in recent years, attracted bigger attendances than in Australia. The GAA, aware of this, wanted to move to a different model of dividing the spoils. Something along the lines of what we make, we keep. So the GAA would keep the lion’s share of the profit when the games were played in Ireland and the AFL would do, likewise, when games were in Australia. It is easy to see who the real winners would be in that situation — naturally, the GAA.
Whether this was a factor in the AFL’s decision is open to speculation.
The AFL are also preoccupied in extending the franchise for their game on their home soil and also in South Africa. This is where they see real growth and their energies will be devoted more and more in these areas. The AFL longs for the day that they can have internationals with South Africa. If that day comes, will the Rules concept end? Unfortunately, another factor that turns the Aussies off Ireland is the cost of everything here. For the last two or three tours here, more and more Australian players and officials said to me: “We love Ireland but everything is so dear.”
Also, the last time the Australians came here, they left with a sour taste in their mouth. They were justifiably criticised for the violence in Croke Park but more courtesy was due off the pitch. They didn’t say so publicly but I know some weren’t pleased with how they were portrayed.
Either way, the Aussies are not coming this year. Those against the series, and I fully respect their views, won’t be disappointed. But those closest to the scene especially the management and players will be very downhearted. Many of the players who would have been in the squad this year won’t make it next year — presuming the concept returns in 2010.
