Offaly star defends Rules Series

Ciaran McManus has backed the value of the International Rules Series despite the Offaly County Board's call for the annual two-Test clash between Ireland and Australia to be abandoned.

At the latest meeting of the Offaly Board, delegates voted 32 to 23 in favour of ditching the International Rules Series.

The backlash emerged after violent scenes - including the red carding of Australian co-captain Chris Johnson for a head-high tackle - marred this year's second Test in Melbourne on October 28.

The Offaly Board have now submitted a motion to the GAA's Central Council that the Series be scrapped, but McManus, the only Offaly representative on the 2005 Ireland panel, is against any such action.

The towering Tubber midfielder said: “I would be very disappointed if the Series was ever scrapped. I wouldn't like to see just one game upset everyone and to ruin the future of the game.

“I think the Australians did go overboard and I think that they know that themselves - their own press even attacked them over it (the violence).

“From a player's point of view, I am sure that every one of us that was on the panel this year would like to see the Series continue. There is only one team that can win an All-Ireland, there is only one team that can win a league every year but every player can represent their country if they play well enough in the trials.

"That alone is a great honour and a great achievement for any player in his career,” he told the Offaly Independent.

“In rugby and soccer, players can play on an international stage and it is nice to see our own game, a game that we work just as hard at, recognised internationally on a par with rugby and soccer.”

However, the Galway Football Board secretary John Power is expected to add his voice to those calling for the GAA to bin the Series in his address at the Board's convention in Rosmuc this Sunday.