Duffy warns AFL over Rules series

Violence was a regular feature of the 2006 Second Test

GAA chief Pauric Duffy has warned the AFL that they have only 10 days to confirm dates and venues for International Rules Tests this year.

Duffy indicated that there is a genuine prospect of the GAA pulling the plug on this year's mooted series in Australia.

"We would have hoped that by now we would be in a position to say that we are proceeding with the series this October," said Duffy.

The GAA has rejected an AFL suggestion that only one Test be played this year.

The series scheduled for last year was cancelled following violence which marred the 2006 Tests in Ireland.

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GAA director general Duffy's comments come in the light of concerns by GAA President Nickey Brennan in recent weeks, that the series still hadn't been copper-fasted and that the Irish sporting body's patience was wearing thin on the issue.

"We agreed to resume the Series on the basis of a two-game series," added Duffy.

"The AFL some weeks ago made soundings to us about the possibility of playing one game only - the reason being that they are having some difficulty because of the Rugby League World Cup and some grounds have also been committed to cricket in late October.

"They are having problems accessing some of the grounds that they wanted for a two-game series and maybe some problems with their own calendar as well."

Duffy stressed that the GAA's position is clear on this issue and that the AFL are fully aware of the GAA's viewpoint.

"We made it clear to them some weeks ago that we aren't interested in a one-game series," Duffy said.

"We are not prepared to travel to Australia to play one match. It will have to be a two-game series or there will be no series. We made that quite clear to the AFL."