Playing by their own rules

Australia’s victories this past two weekends means they are now tied 10 International Series a piece with Ireland, writes John Fogarty.

On the surface, it would seem quite the competition although Ireland might not have had everything their own way in 2011 and 2012 had the AFL not fielded such embarrassingly weak teams. And might Australia have won two years ago had they a second test to exhibit their familiarity with the round ball? Thirteen series to seven would put an entirely different complexion on things.

On the roll of honour, Ireland and Australia may be one but they are not the same. That amateur versus professional binary is obviously at the heart of the concept’s waning general appeal but GAA players must be sick of being the seemingly perennial underdog. Yet that is hardly going to change if the Australians, fair play to them, continue to send out their best.