Gaelic footballers take on Australian Rules players in the International Rules Series in Dublin.
The International Rules Series sees Ireland play Australia in two games on consecutive Sundays in Croke Park.
International Rules football is played using a set of compromise rules decided upon by governing bodies the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
International Rules is all about running football. The Irish side has to get used to rule changes such as,
The mark, the punch pass, the double hop and the robust full body tackle.
The game is played over four 20 minute quarters. The scoring is also different.
There is plenty of confidence among the Australian supporters making their way to Croke Park,
They'll run the legs of Ireland, absolutely.
Veteran of the 1984 International Rules Series and former Dublin fullback Gerry Hargan is pleased to see compromise rules back at Croke Park.
It’s a great honour to play for your country.
The best known Australian from the 1984 series Robert DiPierdomenico known to all in Australian Rules football as the Dipper is also back in Croke Park. This time he is a match commentator with Channel 7, covering the first game for Australian television viewers.
As the final quarter gets underway Ireland look like being the winners, but a score by Australia sees them win the first test,
Fitness levels at the end of 80 minutes making the difference.
The final score is Ireland 61 - Australia 62.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 October 1998. The reporter is Peter Leonard.
