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International Rules

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Its great apart from the recent cte issues. I do wonder if Irish players are safer or worse off coming in fresh to this ? Have they taking less damage or is it going to be a shock to the system ?

even this current news in Australia.
AFL club strikes secret deal to make player liable for future brain injuries
A Victorian AFL club has secretly forced a concussion-affected player to assume all legal responsibility for future brain injuries in a bid to exonerate itself and its medical staff from future court action.

Kew (Galway) - Posts: 364 - 06/08/2026 13:45:10    2688831

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@tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2015 - 06/08/2026

Those semi-Pro GAA teams could mirror The Hundred cricket set up, with teams representing major cities or population centres, each 'linked' to the surrounding counties (not amalgamated).

Finances - given the indigenous sport, could enough money be raised to pay players, stadium upkeep, travel etc? The League of Ireland can do it as it has access to UEFA funds.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3506 - 06/08/2026 13:53:20    2688832

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "There is a reality coming down the tracks for mens gaelic football.

The all Ireland semis and finals took in over €24m in gate reciepts. (83,000 x €100)
The current football product will attract bigger crowds in earlier especially if the competitiveness remains.

The other GAA sports - Hurling, lgfa, camogie, tailteann cup, will always be amateur as there is no market to sustain those sports at a professional level.

However, with the commitment needed from multiple counties to win Sam Maguire - there is a business case developing for having 10 semi professional football counties at a minimum (Dublin, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal, Armagh, Kildare, Meath, Louth) as they would have the attendences to support it in a tailored competition.

Roscommon, Monaghan, Westmeath might have the teams now to joint them, but don't have the population to do it.
Cork , Limerick, Clare, Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford would be involved in hurling which doesn't have enough general appeal to ever become a runner for a semi professional operation.

The day will come when the the top end of the gaelic football pyramid will produce enough talent that Aussie rules will take 20 or so a year. The only way to stop it is to have a paid opportunity at home. That is the inevitable conclusion"
I rarely give them praise, God forbid, but Roscommon have a better case to be in any semi pro set up than Meath. Bigger ground, better attendances at their games etc. Monaghan have ferocious support too. Westmeath has a passionate football base also.

I assume semi pro in that scenario would mean a home and away series with 18 games in a 10 team league. 9 at home, 9 away. I can't imagine there is an appetite for that at all at the minute or in the medium term.

ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 281 - 06/08/2026 14:11:55    2688835

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Nonsense. Our GAA players deserve an International opportunity. I have yet to hear one playerwho played in the International Rules, criticize it."
If getting an international opportunity organise it in the form of playing other international GAA clubs/regions, not some half baked crossbred game with another sport that is dire to watch.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 567 - 06/08/2026 14:26:50    2688836

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According to the t'internet less than 1/3 of AFL players who play senior AFL reach the 50 game mark, median number of career games is 19-25 games. Sobering enough stats, if true.

ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 281 - 06/08/2026 14:37:30    2688838

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Replying To omahant:  "@tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2015 - 06/08/2026

Those semi-Pro GAA teams could mirror The Hundred cricket set up, with teams representing major cities or population centres, each 'linked' to the surrounding counties (not amalgamated).

Finances - given the indigenous sport, could enough money be raised to pay players, stadium upkeep, travel etc? The League of Ireland can do it as it has access to UEFA funds."
The League of Ireland clubs lost, yes lost, 20 million euro over the last 3 years. That in no way is sustainable. You only have to look around the clubs to see how unsustainable it is. Bar Shamrock Rovers, the facilities on offer are atrocious. In fairness, most GAA county grounds are in decent condition with investment ongoing (e.g. Meath / Louth) and that could not be achieved if you priortise paying players. The GAA is going to have to grasp the nettle sooner rather than later. The days of vast amounts of money being spent on managerial teams has to go. There's county teams out there paying immoral amounts of money to outside managers that they certainly wouldn't collect in their own county. Vouched expenses, benefits like health insurance & additional tax credits, yes... but pay for play no.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2330 - 06/08/2026 15:22:32    2688845

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Replying To FullOfPorter:  "If getting an international opportunity organise it in the form of playing other international GAA clubs/regions, not some half baked crossbred game with another sport that is dire to watch."
Dire to watch for you. Most sports are poor to watch in comparison to new rules Gaelic Football. It has enough support to be a full time professional sport in Australia and has more competition there from other sports. Regardless of how AFL games look, or them recruiting GAA prospects the GAA could take a few tips from the AFL on how they publicise their sport.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8685 - 06/08/2026 15:51:29    2688854

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How many players do the Aus Rules Clubs "poach" from Ireland annually?
5? 6?.....?
Our dear neighbours to the West have lost Mullin and McDonald.
How many years apart?

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 820 - 06/08/2026 15:52:17    2688855

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Replying To Seanfan:  "How many players do the Aus Rules Clubs "poach" from Ireland annually?
5? 6?.....?
Our dear neighbours to the West have lost Mullin and McDonald.
How many years apart?"
It's a lot more on the ladies side and on the increase. There's no doubt that some counties have been massively weakened by it.
I don't think there's much that can or should be done about it. It's a great opportunity for the players themselves.
But we also shouldn't pretend it doesn't have a big impact on GAA teams in some cases.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2993 - 06/08/2026 17:31:42    2688872

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Replying To FullOfPorter:  "If getting an international opportunity organise it in the form of playing other international GAA clubs/regions, not some half baked crossbred game with another sport that is dire to watch."
Good luck with getting a competitive game from that. The compromise rules were very enjoyable while they lasted.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1191 - 06/08/2026 17:39:02    2688873

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Dire to watch for you. Most sports are poor to watch in comparison to new rules Gaelic Football. It has enough support to be a full time professional sport in Australia and has more competition there from other sports. Regardless of how AFL games look, or them recruiting GAA prospects the GAA could take a few tips from the AFL on how they publicise their sport."
The GAA seem to want to keep Gaelic games a secret!
Local Tidy Towns Committees are better at publicising things than the GAA.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 820 - 06/08/2026 18:50:46    2688884

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