Whether because of the pre-match hype or the lack of clearly definable rules in these games, International Rules series are too often marred by what can be described only as criminal assaults on the field of play. The talk surrounding today's game has not focused on team selection, or even the possible result, but has been almost entirely concentrated on the probability of violence breaking out between the two sides.

Owing to the fact that Gaelic games are not played outside Ireland, the International Rules series offers the GAA, and everyone associated with it, the opportunity to display some of its brightest stars to a wider audience. A combined crowd of 112,000 spectators over the two games also offers a huge financial incentive to the association. However, the entire concept of International Rules is in danger of turning into farce because of the number of physical assaults carried out during each test game.

There is something fundamentally wrong with a sport that tolerates this behaviour.

International Rules risks becoming little more than a boxing match with a ball.

That would be a huge missed opportunity for the GAA and would be further ammunition to those who believe this hybrid game should be abandoned forever.