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International Rules

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Replying To Kew:  "The players are correct to go. But the reputational damage that the AFL is doing to the gaa is real. The GAA is looking like a sport you play if you can't make it as a professional. Tomo culnane went to Australia trying to make it in Aussie rules and also tried the NFL kicking. He didn't play for Galway instead spent last season trying to get a pathway into a professional sport. That's a man in his mid 20s. Now pathways and being seen by younger guys like in Kerry and more will try. It will be seen as the elite players leave gaa and the rest will stay who can't make it pro"
How many have gone last years?
How many stay longer than 2 years?
How many "make it"?

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 910 - 29/08/2026 15:36:22    2691821

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Replying To Kew:  "The players are correct to go. But the reputational damage that the AFL is doing to the gaa is real. The GAA is looking like a sport you play if you can't make it as a professional. Tomo culnane went to Australia trying to make it in Aussie rules and also tried the NFL kicking. He didn't play for Galway instead spent last season trying to get a pathway into a professional sport. That's a man in his mid 20s. Now pathways and being seen by younger guys like in Kerry and more will try. It will be seen as the elite players leave gaa and the rest will stay who can't make it pro"
Thats absolute nonsense. Far more elite players stay than go.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20641 - 29/08/2026 15:46:28    2691824

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Replying To Kew:  "The players are correct to go. But the reputational damage that the AFL is doing to the gaa is real. The GAA is looking like a sport you play if you can't make it as a professional. Tomo culnane went to Australia trying to make it in Aussie rules and also tried the NFL kicking. He didn't play for Galway instead spent last season trying to get a pathway into a professional sport. That's a man in his mid 20s. Now pathways and being seen by younger guys like in Kerry and more will try. It will be seen as the elite players leave gaa and the rest will stay who can't make it pro"
That's nonsense. The AFL are looking for a particular profile of player. Generally tangy, athletic, a good engine and pace. They're mainly played in the half-backs over there, picking up breaks, carrying ball and man-marking.
David Clifford the best footballer in the country mightn't be as suited to the game as many who go over. Colm Cooper always said he didn't like the game and it didn't suit his skills or physical profile.
Some of our best footballers wouldn't be suited to that game at all. Plenty more will have no interest in it either way.
The Aussies went after Kerry's two U20 midfielders, not any of their inside forwards.
As for Tomo, he wasn't making the Galway team and decided to try his hand at it.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 3038 - 29/08/2026 16:09:09    2691830

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Replying To Seanfan:  "How many have gone last years?
How many stay longer than 2 years?
How many "make it"?"
Nonetheless its still an unfortunate fact that there are any number of gaa players who would love to get that phonecall and if they did would be out the gap quicker than you can say "well at least hes not transferring club".

If i remember correctly armaghs steven mcdonnell,at the height of his playing career,arguably the best forward in the country at the time,made no secret of the fact that hed be interested in a move to the afl.

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 322 - 29/08/2026 16:55:22    2691839

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https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0831/1589850-mcdonald-given-permission-to-resume-gaa-club-action/

Kobe returns…. for club duty …!

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 5280 - 31/08/2026 16:37:08    2692172

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Tom Parsons urges GAA and Government to support players who turn down AFL contracts

What kind of supports was he on about??

Kew (Galway) - Posts: 419 - 31/08/2026 23:41:27    2692238

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Replying To Kew:  "Tom Parsons urges GAA and Government to support players who turn down AFL contracts

What kind of supports was he on about??"
https://share.google/YECXMXkeZpTiGOXMV
Complete red herring, most GAA players who go to Oz dont go there to play AFL in the 1st place.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20641 - 01/09/2026 10:50:17    2692264

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Replying To Kew:  "Tom Parsons urges GAA and Government to support players who turn down AFL contracts

What kind of supports was he on about??"
How many players have actually "turned down AFL contracts"
As opposed to someone going to trials and then losing interest.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 910 - 01/09/2026 10:58:54    2692267

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Replying To Kew:  "Tom Parsons urges GAA and Government to support players who turn down AFL contracts

What kind of supports was he on about??"
That looks like a case of the headline not properly reflecting what he actually said.

"Players who turn down AFL contracts" suggests players who go for trials with an Aussie club, are offered a contract by them, but then say "no thanks, I've decided to stick with gaelic football after all."

Think what Parsons actually meant was that there should be more supports for players here so that they may not be as tempted by an AFL contract in the first place. But that's operating under the principle that every single inter-county footballer would be a target for the AFL, and that's probably a big jump from the reality that actually applies.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3988 - 01/09/2026 12:33:32    2692280

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Replying To Seanfan:  "How many players have actually "turned down AFL contracts"
As opposed to someone going to trials and then losing interest."
Or not being good enough

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20641 - 01/09/2026 15:00:06    2692312

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With new GAA 2-pointer - how will Intl Rules scoring be adjusted, if at all? Leave 1-3-6 or adjust to 1-2-3-6-9?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3548 - 01/09/2026 22:18:13    2692341

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