Rules series hit by recession
The International Rules series has been deferred for one year. Photo: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images
Wednesday July 29 2009
The GAA and the AFL have confirmed that there will be no International Rules Series this year on the request of the Aussie Rules governing body to postpone the two-test trip to Ireland for a year.
A statement released by the GAA this morning confirmed the deferral of the series for 12 months, with Association President Christy Cooney outlining how "world economic situation had caused a major re-think for the AFL."
"The GAA had been most anxious for the Series to proceed as planned, particularly in view of the huge amount of work that had already been carried out by Team management, officials and the organising committees on both sides of the world."
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou added that "the current global situation has severely impacted on the sponsorship and support opportunities available for sporting organisations around the world and we needed to make a responsible decision and wait for 12 months. I'd like to thank the GAA for their professionalism and understanding in working through this decision, which indicates how strong our relationship continues to be."
The games were due to played on the 24th and 31st of October, with the first test fixed for the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick - which has undergone substantial development in preparation for the match - and the second for Croke Park.
However Cooney said "it was the intention of the GAA to ensure that the commitment made to Limerick GAA in respect of the 2009 Series would be honoured in 2010 and that all things being equal the Gaelic Grounds would host the first Test in 2010."
- Conor McKeon
