- Spotted this on Evening Herald website - Sheedy calls Boylan a Leprechaun!
FORMER Australia manager Kevin Sheedy has lit the torch paper for another potentially explosive International Rules series with some inflammatory comments that are sure to enrage the Irish party that has just landed in Perth.
Sheedy is particularly scathing of Seá Boylan - his opposite number for the ill-fated tour of Ireland in 2006 - and claims that he "ranted and raved" for an hour after the second test in Croke Park that year.
Meanwhile, a "leprechaun" reference to the former Meath boss, who has returned as Irish manager, could be deemed downright insulting.
Upped ante
The good news for the uncertain future of International Rules is that Sheedy is no longer involved, but he has certainly upped the ante ahead of the first test at the Subiaco Oval next Friday.
The former Essendon supremo was referring to the incredible press conference that followed the last infamous collision between Ireland and Australia.
At the time, Boylan was incandescent at some of the Australian antics, and the violent scenes that marred the tourists' cakewalk victory led directly to a postponement of the planned tour Down Under last year.
Only after much tough negotiations between GAA and Australian Football League chiefs, coupled with several rule changes, has the series been revived; but the hybrid code remains very much "on trial" over the coming fortnight.
Sheedy probably hasn't helped relations with his newspaper column advice to the Irish tourists. Writing in the Sunday Herald Sun, he suggests: "There is one thing I would like to pass on to the Irish ahead of the revived International Rules series. You can punch an Australian and we won't be totally insulted. But if you kick us, you are going the wrong way about it.
"After the last series was marred by controversial acts it would be disappointing if the Irish sought retribution.
"They should bump and tackle, but don't stick a leg out. If it's played in the right spirit, this will be a fantastic spectacle."
Recalling his own time as Australian coach, Sheedy claims there were some "over-reactions", adding: "Yes, Chris Johnson made a poor decision three years ago, but Danyle Pearce made a legitimate and honest tackle the last time the teams met.
"So at no other stage was I concerned about the way the game was being played.
"Irish coach Seán Boylan didn't see it that way and he ranted and raved for an hour after the match in Dublin.
"I almost fell asleep waiting for my turn and it was the first time I thought I had met a leprechaun," he writes.
""It could have easily been Ray 'Slug' Jordon giving me an earful. But at least there was passion and I'm thrilled the matches are back."
Australian vice-captain Adam Selwood - a veteran of the '06 series - has delivered a more conciliatory message while insisting the home side weren't thugs who simply wanted to "fight the Irish."
"We've gone through the rules and understand now what's acceptable and what's not compared to the last series," Selwood revealed.
"Obviously it did get out of hand a little bit for about ten minutes there, but I think the guys know where it stands. If something like that happens again, the series is off pretty much forever.
"So we're not here to fight the Irish or anything like that, we've got the utmost respect for them and I'm just hopeful it's going to be a good game and a fair game," he concluded.
FORMER Australia manager Kevin Sheedy has lit the torch paper for another potentially explosive International Rules series with some inflammatory comments that are sure to enrage the Irish party that has just landed in Perth.
Sheedy is particularly scathing of Seá Boylan - his opposite number for the ill-fated tour of Ireland in 2006 - and claims that he "ranted and raved" for an hour after the second test in Croke Park that year.
Meanwhile, a "leprechaun" reference to the former Meath boss, who has returned as Irish manager, could be deemed downright insulting.
Upped ante
The good news for the uncertain future of International Rules is that Sheedy is no longer involved, but he has certainly upped the ante ahead of the first test at the Subiaco Oval next Friday.
The former Essendon supremo was referring to the incredible press conference that followed the last infamous collision between Ireland and Australia.
At the time, Boylan was incandescent at some of the Australian antics, and the violent scenes that marred the tourists' cakewalk victory led directly to a postponement of the planned tour Down Under last year.
Only after much tough negotiations between GAA and Australian Football League chiefs, coupled with several rule changes, has the series been revived; but the hybrid code remains very much "on trial" over the coming fortnight.
Sheedy probably hasn't helped relations with his newspaper column advice to the Irish tourists. Writing in the Sunday Herald Sun, he suggests: "There is one thing I would like to pass on to the Irish ahead of the revived International Rules series. You can punch an Australian and we won't be totally insulted. But if you kick us, you are going the wrong way about it.
"After the last series was marred by controversial acts it would be disappointing if the Irish sought retribution.
"They should bump and tackle, but don't stick a leg out. If it's played in the right spirit, this will be a fantastic spectacle."
Recalling his own time as Australian coach, Sheedy claims there were some "over-reactions", adding: "Yes, Chris Johnson made a poor decision three years ago, but Danyle Pearce made a legitimate and honest tackle the last time the teams met.
"So at no other stage was I concerned about the way the game was being played.
"Irish coach Seán Boylan didn't see it that way and he ranted and raved for an hour after the match in Dublin.
"I almost fell asleep waiting for my turn and it was the first time I thought I had met a leprechaun," he writes.
""It could have easily been Ray 'Slug' Jordon giving me an earful. But at least there was passion and I'm thrilled the matches are back."
Australian vice-captain Adam Selwood - a veteran of the '06 series - has delivered a more conciliatory message while insisting the home side weren't thugs who simply wanted to "fight the Irish."
"We've gone through the rules and understand now what's acceptable and what's not compared to the last series," Selwood revealed.
"Obviously it did get out of hand a little bit for about ten minutes there, but I think the guys know where it stands. If something like that happens again, the series is off pretty much forever.
"So we're not here to fight the Irish or anything like that, we've got the utmost respect for them and I'm just hopeful it's going to be a good game and a fair game," he concluded.