Australia-Ireland Tests confirmed for OctoberBy Matthew Price
afl.com.au
Fri 19 February, 2010AUSTRALIA will have the opportunity to avenge its 2008 International Rules defeat, after Australian and Irish federations agreed to resume the series in Ireland later this year.
Two Tests will be played, in Limerick on October 23 and Dublin on October 30.
Ireland narrowly won both Tests on Australian soil in the most recent series two years ago.
The 2009 series was scrapped after the Gaelic Athletic Association agreed to the AFL's request to defer the matches on financial grounds.
The competition also took a hiatus in 2007, after controversial clashes during the previous year's Tests on Irish soil.
"The Irish team was too strong for us when we last met on Australian soil at the end of 2008, and Mick Malthouse and his coaching staff are eager to test ourselves on Irish soil in a bid to square the ledger once more," said AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.
GAA Director General Paraic Duffy said the Limerick Test would be the first played in the south of Ireland since competition resumed in 1998.
“We are delighted that the Australians are back in Ireland to play this year and we are all looking forward to an enjoyable two games in October,” Duffy said.
“Each player deems it a great honour to put on an Irish jersey in an international setting and values the experience of playing with players from other counties (to represent Ireland).”
The two countries have won five series apiece since Australia-Ireland Tests resumed in 1999. Ireland holds a 10-8 advantage from the 20 Test matches played, with two draws.
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