International Rules 2013

iDave · 17-10-2013 10:22am #1

Sat 19 October
First Test
Ireland v Australia, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7pm

Sat 26 October
Second Test
Ireland v Australia, Croke Park, TBC

Anyone care?
Already a few controversies such as the indigenous Australian team and club v country wrangles in Ireland.
Used to love this series at its peak in the early 2000s. Always played to a great intensity, tough but fair and I found the uniqueness of 2 sports coming together for a couple of tests really special.
Seems to mean a lot to the players selected still but theres clearly a growing apathy towards it from the fans in both countries.
Anyway hoping for a good series this time round.

Gerry91 · 17-10-2013 11:59am

Used to love it early noughties alright, couldn't care less about it now, won't even bother watching tbh

Hope Mayo boys come through unscathed

slingerz · 17-10-2013 1:45pm

Used to love these tests before but i think the glamour has gone from them.

Think if the GAA promoted the inter-provincials over these fixtures and got the television coverage of them akin to the coverage this gets then the inter pro's would be a real runner.

iDave · 17-10-2013 3:23pm

Never bought into this idea the Railway Cup needs IRS to die so it can thrive. It was in decline long before IRS was revived in 98. The Inter-Pros have a Spring slot anyway so not like they're clashing.

Anyway the Aussies are doing a war dance before the matches if that floats your boat.

dcr22B · 17-10-2013 3:28pm

I will be in Parnell Park for the Dublin SFC matches on Saturday instead of watching the IRS

slingerz · 17-10-2013 3:45pm

iDave wrote: »

Never bought into this idea the Railway Cup needs IRS to die so it can thrive. It was in decline long before IRS was revived in 98. The Inter-Pros have a Spring slot anyway so not like they're clashing.

Anyway the Aussies are doing a war dance before the matches if that floats your boat.

Didnt say it needs the IRS to die but the GAA would be better off promoting that than the IRS.

Tom Joad · 17-10-2013 4:09pm

Am going to the game in Breffni but to be honest that's only because it's on my doorstep - other than that would have no interest in it. Should provide a lift to the local economy and is a good coup for Breffni to get it but think overall the whole thing is on its last legs.

keeponhurling · 17-10-2013 8:39pm

Agree.
Nobody seems to really care whether we win or lose anymore, I couldn't even remember who won it last year.
Think it's on its last legs.

Stoner · 18-10-2013 8:30am

Tom Joad wrote: »

Am going to the game in Breffni but to be honest that's only because it's on my doorstep - other than that would have no interest in it. Should provide a lift to the local economy and is a good coup for Breffni to get it but think overall the whole thing is on its last legs.

I'm more or less doing the same but I'll be in CP. I think that since there has been a spread on the counties loosing players to Oz rules some fans have looked at it differently.

elefant · 18-10-2013 8:42am

I love watching the International Rules. Confusing, often turgid, but always interesting for me. I get a strange sense of pride in seeing lads I have no connection with apart from nationality and sport displaying their great skills on an international stage.

From what I hear the indigenous all-stars have a pretty strong squad this year, so hopefully it will lead to two good tests. One good year is all it would take for these to gain momentum again I feel.

iDave · 18-10-2013 9:18am

elefant wrote: »

I love watching the International Rules. Confusing, often turgid, but always interesting for me. I get a strange sense of pride in seeing lads I have no connection with apart from nationality and sport displaying their great skills on an international stage.

From what I hear the indigenous all-stars have a pretty strong squad this year, so hopefully it will lead to two good tests. One good year is all it would take for these to gain momentum again I feel.

Maybe 2 but I see your point. The complaints about the series didn't surface until the Aussies brought in the violence and subsequent 'softening' in the following years. Pre-2006 most people quite liked it.

keeponhurling · 18-10-2013 1:32pm

The fact that Aussies are picking an indigenous team, rather than the best available team, suggests they're not overly concerned about who wins either ?

Fr Tod Umptious · 18-10-2013 2:47pm

Tom Joad wrote: »

Am going to the game in Breffni but to be honest that's only because it's on my doorstep - other than that would have no interest in it. Should provide a lift to the local economy and is a good coup for Breffni to get it but think overall the whole thing is on its last legs.

Did the same for the test in Galway in 2006 cos it was on the doorstep, it was an interesting evening but still lacked something.

keeponhurling wrote: »

The fact that Aussies are picking an indigenous team, rather than the best available team, suggests they're not overly concerned about who wins either ?

Interest has dwindled in Australia and the selection of an indigenous team is an attempt to add something different to it.

I think it's an interesting idea and I'd congratulate the Australians for trying something new

Lemlin · 18-10-2013 3:52pm

It's on my doorstep also but I won't be attending. Good to see Breffni get to host it. Huge boost for the town, particularly with no Fleadh this year.

Tom Joad · 18-10-2013 3:56pm

Was down in Breffni earlier - strange to see the place with the extra goalposts - looks quite strange tbh. It has been pelting it down here all day so am expecting a real muckfest tomorrow night.

Lemlin · 18-10-2013 4:00pm

Tom Joad wrote: »

Was down in Breffni earlier - strange to see the place with the extra goalposts - looks quite strange tbh. It has been pelting it down here all day so am expecting a real muckfest tomorrow night.

It's like the apocalypse alright at the minute. Pity because the whole town has events scheduled for the weekend thatMs in it.

Tom Joad · 18-10-2013 4:04pm

Lemlin wrote: »

It's like the apocalypse alright at the minute. Pity because the whole town has events scheduled for the weekend thatMs in it.

It's a real shame alright especially when so much effort was made but it is October in Ireland.

WesternZulu · 19-10-2013 5:30pm

Can anyone PM me a link if they have one?

SomethingElse · 19-10-2013 5:56pm

Is there English commentary available anywhere?

Flukey · 19-10-2013 5:57pm

I'll be watching and I've my ticket got for Croke Park next Saturday. I've been going to many of them since the 1980s. Usually they are good occasions. The fights were what drew some people to them, but it can be good when played properly. The Australians have a major advantage by playing with the round ball, which has shown by the amount of tests that they have won. The mark is the worst element and should be removed completely as it turns it into stop-start game and takes a lot of the excitement out. You get really fast and exciting moves suddenly stopping dead and a player calmly kicks the ball, completely unchallenged. A big anti-climax compared to what we are used to. It has to be one of the most stupid rules in any ball sport and any that have it should get rid of it immediately. It is when Ireland have completely ignored the mark and kept the ball moving that they have done best. Hopefully neither the mark nor the violence will be seen tonight. Then we could be in for a good game. Up Ireland. Éire abú.