GAA-AFL "Bash-up" is back

What do you get when you combine real estate listings with geographic data from Google Maps? A really useful, new and distinct web service that is generally referred to as a mashup.

Similary, take two different sports Gaelic football and Aussie rules, mix them together and voila, a comletely new "sport" that is not so much a mashup, as a bashup. Except, it's no feckin' good to anyone.

The GAA confirmed today that there will be a two-game International Rules Series between the countries in October of this year on October 24th in Perth and October 31st in Melbourne.

Maybe the GAA could invite Fiorentina's calcio players and make it a tri-nations tournament...There's a ball there somewhere, I swear!

From Aussie Rules back to GAA

After the recent ballyhoo over AFL recruitment in Ireland and the dark prophesies of a mass exodus of the GAA's best young players to Australia it's interesting to see that Tadhg Kennelly has confirmed his plans to return to Ireland next year with the intention of winning an All-Ireland with Kerry.

Setanta declares this a sensational revelation. In any Tadhg Kennelly interview I've ever read he's always expressed his desire to return to Ireland win an All-Ireland with Kerry, as his father Tim did, so the extent of their scoop is a little exaggerated.

Tadhg's sacrifice for the glory of an All-Ireland medal is to be admired. He's going to give-up the successful career he's built with the Syndey Swans--along with the glorious sunshine and the quality lifestyle downunder.

A brave move and one we should admire. I can't help thinking though that it it is Kerry he is returning to, so the odds of doing a celebratory jig in the Kingdom's colours are not exactly stacked against him. Returning and winning Sam with Mayo, now that would be heroic.

Still, fair play to Tadhg.