International Rules: It's finally back
October 24, 2008
Ya, here it is. It's back after a year off and I'm really looking forward to seeing Ireland take on Australia in the International Rules on tonight.
The first game of the two-match series is being played at Subiaco in Perth, and the second, Friday week at the M.C.G.
Traditionally between these two teams there has being a lot of confrontations and fights. The main reason for it I think, personally having played four series since 2000, and having played Gaelic football and Aussie rules, is the misunderstanding or misinterpretation of rules from both sets of teams.
Some things that might be accepted in Gaelic football are not in Aussie rules and vice versa. It's this that has lead to many problems, and once this is cleared up, which I hope it has been, then we shall see a fast, exciting, tough and hard, sporting contest.
I have spent the last few days with the Irish team helping them out and trying to give them as much information and knowledge that I can on the Australians; and my experience of the game.
For the Irish team, the major challenge is getting used to the tackle and being able to handle it, and the fitness level of the Aussies towards the end of the game, especially the last few minutes of the third and fourth quarters. In Ireland, the game goes for 70 minutes and the players are amateurs and don’t have the luxury of training everyday.
For the Australians, the major challenge is the shape of the ball. International Rules uses a round ball which does affect the Australian team's confidence early in the game, and it really takes 'til the second half before the Australians feel confident with the football. This is where, traditionally, the Irish start well and the Australians come home strong, so I'm guessing the same will happen Friday night in Perth.
As for myself, I have dual citizenship, but really I have never not considered myself anything but Irish, and thus I’m going for an Irish win of 12 points tonight.
Irish Ozzie
The first game of the two-match series is being played at Subiaco in Perth, and the second, Friday week at the M.C.G.
Traditionally between these two teams there has being a lot of confrontations and fights. The main reason for it I think, personally having played four series since 2000, and having played Gaelic football and Aussie rules, is the misunderstanding or misinterpretation of rules from both sets of teams.
Some things that might be accepted in Gaelic football are not in Aussie rules and vice versa. It's this that has lead to many problems, and once this is cleared up, which I hope it has been, then we shall see a fast, exciting, tough and hard, sporting contest.
I have spent the last few days with the Irish team helping them out and trying to give them as much information and knowledge that I can on the Australians; and my experience of the game.
For the Irish team, the major challenge is getting used to the tackle and being able to handle it, and the fitness level of the Aussies towards the end of the game, especially the last few minutes of the third and fourth quarters. In Ireland, the game goes for 70 minutes and the players are amateurs and don’t have the luxury of training everyday.
For the Australians, the major challenge is the shape of the ball. International Rules uses a round ball which does affect the Australian team's confidence early in the game, and it really takes 'til the second half before the Australians feel confident with the football. This is where, traditionally, the Irish start well and the Australians come home strong, so I'm guessing the same will happen Friday night in Perth.
As for myself, I have dual citizenship, but really I have never not considered myself anything but Irish, and thus I’m going for an Irish win of 12 points tonight.
Irish Ozzie
Post a comment
To post a new comment, you must Sign in first.