After Australia's straight-sets win against Ireland In November 2017, the International Rules Series is set for at least a one-year hiatus.
Writing in the Irish Examiner, John Fogarty determined that the decision was made "as the GAA and AFL move to secure a long-term agreement for the hybrid game."
With the inaugural series coming in 1984, there have been plenty of past instances where the two-nation competition has had years off. Since Ireland's 2008 win in Australia, there has only been four series in the intervening 9 years.
Although much optimism surrounds the tournament and its potential branching out beyond the borders of Ireland and Australia, "Croke Park now say 2018 comes too early for the two organisations as they look to securing International Rules’ future."
Seeking to make inroads into the American marketplace, failure to secure a "viable venue" in the United States has said to derail progress for the year ahead.
Yet, the future of the international rules series is far from bleak, with the Australians appearing very keen to move the competition beyond the two-country location in an effort to raise the international profile of their own game also.
For 2018 however, there will be no international rules coming to Ireland.
