O'Neill wants Rules series played every year

November 20, 2014

GAA President Liam O'Neill

GAA president Liam O'Neill would like to see the International Rules series played on an annual basis once again.

A gap year was introduced in 2008, with no tours having taken place in 2009 and 2012, but O'Neill believes this is doing the hybrid game no favours.

"We need more certainly," he said ahead of Saturday's Test in Perth.

"That would be playing every year. Taking a gap year is a bit like breaking off an engagement and going back again - it doesn't really work. You could get a lot more momentum into it if it was played every year."

Asked if the one-Test model - which the Australians clearly favour - would be continued after this year, the GAA president replied: "We'll find out how it goes. It has never been tried before. We'll know what it's like after Saturday. There is a different dynamic to it.

"The players are very happy to get the chance to play one Test this year; they're really up for it. They're for it and I would hate to see it thrown away simply because of a dislike for one Test instead of two."

O'Neill also defended Irish language station TG4's coverage of the series.

"TG4 do a fantastic job for us. They never let us down. It's in the media rights deal they have with us. Whoever broadcasts the game has nothing to do with the size of the crowd. It's the work done beforehand that matters there."


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