Ireland v Australia, Rules Test 1, Breffni Park, Saturday 19 October 2013

[rodney trotter]

Yeah made up of indigenous players, few of them would be big names like Adam Goodes and Lance Franklin who played in Ireland in the 2010 series.

[HeaveHo]

Are the Aussie team just comprised of Aborigine and mixed-race players?

Indigenous players only. All the players have some Aboriginal ancestry - some obvious and others not so obvious. The brothers Stephen and Brad Hill will be in the team. Stephen (Fremantle) has fairer skin and his brother Brad (Hawthorn) is quite a bit darker despite being full brothers.

[cavanmaniac]

It's a delicate matter to navigate this with the obvious racial minority angle involved, but limiting the side to indigenous players only might be a massive own goal from the Aussies. Whatever about the eventual quality of the team, right now nobody here knows anything about these players and will just feel the travelling side is diluted, either rightly or wrongly, simply because it appears the squad is not selected from the full roster of AFL players.

All this comes after a few years of very asinine performances from the Aussies whose teams have of late gone full circle from balls out blood and thunder decapitations to advocating a slightly less sanitised form of Morris dancing. I used to be a fan of this but it's abundantly clear, no matter how much it sticks in our craw as proud Irishmen, that if the Aussies picked their best team and took it seriously in the physical sense - and I don't necessarily mean resorting to the fist either - then they would blow Ireland away every time. We've made huge advances in the physical preparation of our players but despite the similarities in the codes in some respects, in this one the sports are worlds apart. If one side has to water down their physicality or go less than full tilt just to make sure the thing is viable and the other lads don't get hurt or too badly beaten - with apparently limiting selections now coming into the mix too - then the thing just isn't viable and should be dispensed with. We can be very proud of our players and our game and there's no shame in saying we can't match full-time professionals in an all-out game. Back in the eighties the playing field was much more level and then both teams could have a go and each other full-throttle - but those days are long gone and won't be back.

The AFL seem to have lost their appetite for it and I expect the GAA will too after this years series.

[rrhf]

You still talking about cavanaghs tackle

[rrhf]

Could we develop the idea of playing teams along racial lines.  We could take this game and play the African blacks or an American Indian team or even a Jewish team would be class.

[tommysmith]

Its's a load on dung and Breffni is not a great venue for it if there is weather like the last few nights but then you would still get a bad wetting in Croke Park in this weather.

Take it you will be going then.

Not a hope it's a horrible game to watch.

[HeaveHo]

It's a delicate matter to navigate this with the obvious racial minority angle involved, but limiting the side to indigenous players only might be a massive own goal from the Aussies. Whatever about the eventual quality of the team, right now nobody here knows anything about these players and will just feel the travelling side is diluted, either rightly or wrongly, simply because it appears the squad is not selected from the full roster of AFL players.

All this comes after a few years of very asinine performances from the Aussies whose teams have of late gone full circle from balls out blood and thunder decapitations to advocating a slightly less sanitised form of Morris dancing. I used to be a fan of this but it's abundantly clear, no matter how much it sticks in our craw as proud Irishmen, that if the Aussies picked their best team and took it seriously in the physical sense - and I don't necessarily mean resorting to the fist either - then they would blow Ireland away every time. We've made huge advances in the physical preparation of our players but despite the similarities in the codes in some respects, in this one the sports are worlds apart. If one side has to water down their physicality or go less than full tilt just to make sure the thing is viable and the other lads don't get hurt or too badly beaten - with apparently limiting selections now coming into the mix too - then the thing just isn't viable and should be dispensed with. We can be very proud of our players and our game and there's no shame in saying we can't match full-time professionals in an all-out game. Back in the eighties the playing field was much more level and then both teams could have a go and each other full-throttle - but those days are long gone and won't be back.

The AFL seem to have lost their appetite for it and I expect the GAA will too after this years series.

The indigenous side will be pretty good and includes some of the biggest names in AFL who wouldn't bother playing if the regular selection criteria were used. The side will be better than the last side that turned out for Australia (which was very poor and easily accounted for by the Irish lads). The indigenous lads generally aren't as well muscled or as heavy as other AFL players but are very quick and agile. Likely to more a contest of physical equals and will come down to the most skilful side.

I do agree that the concept is tired and needs to be shelved. 

[rrhf]

But not before we go Far East and take on yellow man

[BennyCake]

The trip to Australia for Irish players is a big attraction. Warm weather, a chance to see cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth etc. A trip of a lifetime, and obviously a chance to play for Ireland.

But what's the attraction for the Aussies coming here? It's in winter, spending 3 weeks putting up with rain, wind, hail and maybe even snow. It's the off-season too. Even if an Aussie was interested in seeing a bit of Ireland, he'll have his balls frozen while doing so. Maybe that's part of the reason the Aussies have got fed up with the series.

[CD]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/10/the-international-rules-series-is-slowly-dying/

Good little article about the series - my favourite line If we're the only ones taking it seriously then what's the point?

[johnpower]

It's a delicate matter to navigate this with the obvious racial minority angle involved, but limiting the side to indigenous players only might be a massive own goal from the Aussies. Whatever about the eventual quality of the team, right now nobody here knows anything about these players and will just feel the travelling side is diluted, either rightly or wrongly, simply because it appears the squad is not selected from the full roster of AFL players.

All this comes after a few years of very asinine performances from the Aussies whose teams have of late gone full circle from balls out blood and thunder decapitations to advocating a slightly less sanitised form of Morris dancing. I used to be a fan of this but it's abundantly clear, no matter how much it sticks in our craw as proud Irishmen, that if the Aussies picked their best team and took it seriously in the physical sense - and I don't necessarily mean resorting to the fist either - then they would blow Ireland away every time. We've made huge advances in the physical preparation of our players but despite the similarities in the codes in some respects, in this one the sports are worlds apart. If one side has to water down their physicality or go less than full tilt just to make sure the thing is viable and the other lads don't get hurt or too badly beaten - with apparently limiting selections now coming into the mix too - then the thing just isn't viable and should be dispensed with. We can be very proud of our players and our game and there's no shame in saying we can't match full-time professionals in an all-out game. Back in the eighties the playing field was much more level and then both teams could have a go and each other full-throttle - but those days are long gone and won't be back.

The AFL seem to have lost their appetite for it and I expect the GAA will too after this years series.

I agree the Aussies have lost interest I hope that their selection will work. Bad times for Aussie rules money ruins most sport when introduced

[rodney trotter]

Fifteen counties represented on International Rules squad
08 October 2013


Cork's Aidan Walsh. INPHOInternational Rules manager Paul Earley has confirmed his provisional panel for the upcoming tests against Australia.

In total, 15 counties are represented on a panel of 29, which is expected to be cut back next week ahead of the opening test at Kingspan Breffni Park. Conspicuously, there are no Kerry representatives.

Michael Murphy will captain the team and Cork's Aidan Walsh has been confirmed as the vice-captain for the 2013 series.

Mayo have the largest single representation on the panel with four followed by Cork, Donegal, Laois and All-Ireland champions Dublin who all have three each.

Galway, Tyrone and Monaghan have two each selected while Kildare, Derry, Westmeath, Armagh, Louth, Meath and Wexford are also represented.

Zach Tuohy (Carlton / Laois) is the only AFL-based player on the panel.

Team manager Paul Earley said: "We are delighted to be able to confirm our training panel for the upcoming series and training has really stepped up in recent weeks with the inclusion of players from both of the All-Ireland finalists.

"We have a great response from players both in coming to join the panel and in training and we are pleased with the progress made to date.

"Injury has prevented a number of players from making this panel but we are very pleased with the group of players we are working with and very much looking forward to the two games."

The Irish manager confirmed that Kevin McKernan will not be involved despite featuring prominently in the training panel. The Irish medical team advised that bruising to his knee was likely to be exacerbated by training for both his club and the Irish team.

The Irish panel for the October 19th and 26th tests is:
Michael Murphy, Donegal (captain)
Aidan Walsh, Cork (vice captain)
Paddy O' Rourke, Meath
Colm Begley, Laois
Colm Boyle, Mayo
Ciaran Byrne, Louth
Sean Cavanagh, Tyrone
Paul Conroy, Galway
John Doyle, Kildare
Paul Flynn, Dublin
Finian Hanley, Galway
John Heslin, Westmeath
Darren Hughes, Monaghan
Lee Keegan, Mayo
Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin
Paddy McBrearty, Donegal
Jack McCaffrey, Dublin
Niall Morgan, Tyrone
Neil McGee, Donegal
Chrissy McKaigue, Derry
Ciaran McKeever, Armagh
Kevin McLoughlin, Mayo
Conor McManus, Monaghan
Ross Munnelly, Laois
Aidan Ó Se, Mayo
Ciaran Sheehan, Cork
Michael Sheilds, Cork
Zach Tuohy, Carlton & Laois
Daithi Waters, Wexford

[deiseach]

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/10/the-international-rules-series-is-slowly-dying/

Good little article about the series - my favourite line If we're the only ones taking it seriously then what's the point?

That is a very good article. His point about how the Irish crave international recognition is right on the money.

[Club Rossa]

Final Aussie squad has been announced.Some serious talent,Lance Franklin,Stevie Motlop and Lindsay Thomas.Franklin misses the 2nd test as he flies home for a wedding.

[theticklemister]

The trip to Australia for Irish players is a big attraction. Warm weather, a chance to see cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth etc. A trip of a lifetime, and obviously a chance to play for Ireland.

But what's the attraction for the Aussies coming here? It's in winter, spending 3 weeks putting up with rain, wind, hail and maybe even snow. It's the off-season too. Even if an Aussie was interested in seeing a bit of Ireland, he'll have his balls frozen while doing so. Maybe that's part of the reason the Aussies have got fed up with the series.

A trip to Bundoran.

The chance to play in Breffini Park.

Artane Boys band.

An interview with Marty Morrisey.

The chance to break through a tackle from Sean Cavanagh.

Git pissed in Cavan Town.

Meet Larry Reilly.

Take your pick. They are going to have the time of their lives.