Former Ireland captain Padraic Joyce has welcomed the potential return of the International Rules series but says the timing of the series will be extremely significant.
The revival of the competition moved a step closer to becoming a reality after a meeting between GAA and AFL officials last week.
This followed meetings between both parties in Australia last winter.
It is understood that the two organisations are keen for a revival of a series that was last played in 2017 at Croke Park and that the rejuvenation could take place as early as October.
It's also possible that a ladies international rules series could be held in tandem with the men’s game but as the AFLW season ranges from August to November, that would potentially rule out an October date.
The hybrid game hasn't featured for eight years and there are already soundings from grassroots concerned that intercounty players involved in teams at the business end of club championships will not be able to feature.
There is also a feeling that the fixture calendar is already sufficiently crammed without pencilling in representative games.
Former skipper Joyce is busy preparing his Galway team for their Connacht Championship opener against London this weekend, but took time out of his preparations to discuss the possible return of the international rules series – a competition that is close to his heart.
Joyce was a regular member of Ireland's international rules football squad for many years with his finest moment in the 2004 series when he captained the team to a 132–82 victory over the Aussies.
"It was a great chance for players to get out to Australia, to get the chance to play with all the players in the different counties," he says.
"I played with some brilliant players from all the counties. It's a great chance to mix with other top players. I can see the logistical part of the debate, but if it does return, I'll be glad it's back.
"I'm not sure about the timing of it when it's back because club championships and county finals are going to determine who plays, who doesn't play in it, who can train and prepare and who won’t be able to.
"You'd like your main players in the country to commit to it but again, it's not always logistically possible for them."
Referring to the ultra-physical contests that took place in his time as a player Joyce said a lot has since changed on that front.
"It's been sanitised a good bit and the sanctions are affecting the Australians really and truly.
"But I think the way our new game has gone, I think we would match Australia on the running side of it anyway, the physical side of it, no doubt about it.
"I’m sure some people might give out but the GAA is a brilliant product at the minute and this is the only way we're going to get to represent our country at international level."
Over the past few months the AFL has been specifically liaising with the GAA about how the series might work.
There has been examination of both calendars and where a potential window could be found.
The competition began in 1984 with the two countries tied at 10 series wins each.
There were two level tests in 1999 and 2002.
The trophy is named after the late Tyrone footballer, the brilliant Cormac McAnallen.
