Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, Pat Gilroy must have felt the love from all over Ireland in the early months of 2012.

The Ireland International Rules medical team have taken necessary measures to ensure no player is laid low by a travel bug for Sunday's first test against Australia.

Ireland 56 (3-11-5) Australia 52 (1-13-7): Maybe now the International Rules series will be allowed to live in peace without the persistent threat of execution. Maybe now it will be allowed to develop into something more than it has been up until now.

Former Down All-Ireland winning manager Pete McGrath has revealed he once turned down an approach to manage Dublin.

GAA players are professional in everything but name and professional everywhere but pocket, suggests John Fogarty.

The death-knell for the much-maligned International Rules could toll on Saturday as the majority of counties are set to vote against its continuation.

In response to the AFL sending an aboriginal International Rules squad to Ireland, the GAA has been presented with a wonderful opportunity to respond in kind.

So fare thee well Lance Franklin. We hardly knew ya.

Glenswilly 3-19 Killybegs 2-06

Seán Walsh believes the legalisation of the tackle made by Seán Cavanagh on Conor McManus on Saturday can be a major step in curbing cynicism and lead to a more free-flowing game.

Armagh football manager Paul Grimley feels Joe Brolly crossed the line with some of his pre and post-match comments during RTÉ Two's live coverage of Armagh's Ulster SFC defeat to Cavan.

Ireland’s new International Rules manager Paul Earley admits that the series has lost some of its sparkle because the Australian have curbed the physical aspect of their play — but he expects a tougher challenge this time around.

Cork goalkeeper Alan Quirke will miss the early rounds of the NFL as he will be in Lebanon on peace-keeping duty with the Defence Forces.

When a team concedes 3-18 in a senior inter-county Gaelic football match at this stage of the season, questions have to be asked.

Munster Council chairman, Sean Walsh, will approach the GAA’s Rules Advisory Committee over the coming months to urge them to revamp Gaelic football by experimenting with the abolition of the mandatory pick off the ground with the foot, reintroducing the mark to promote high fielding and trialing an Australian Rules-style tackle.

STEPHEN CLUXTON has played down the significance of his winning free in this year’s All-Ireland SFC final.

Australia 36 (1-8-6) Ireland 80 (4-17-5)

MID Kerry’s inter-county contingent will have a major say in the outcome of Sunday’s Kerry senior final, according to team captain Colm Kerins.

GARY McDAID, manager of Donegal senior football champions Glenswilly, has launched a scathing attack on the county board for scheduling a crucial relegation battle against Cloughaneely for tomorrow afternoon.

THE Irish International Rules management team will not “put a gun to any player’s head” if they face the dilemma of whether to stay at home to fulfil club commitments or fly out to Australia next weekend ahead of the upcoming test matches in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

SEAN BOYLAN is poised to make a dramatic return to the main stage in Meath as the new director of football.

ULSTER GAA scored a windfall victory yesterday with news they will receive £61.4million (€71,458,841) in public funding toward the reconstruction of Casement Park.

DERRY’S Eoin Bradley faces a 48-week ban following an investigation into his alleged assault on referee in a club match last weekend.

NOT so long ago, Benny Coulter made his way down to Dublin to collect a player of the month award.

IRISH International Rules selector Eoin ‘Bomber’ Liston has rubbished speculation that Kerry players are set to boycott this autumn’s series against Australia.

IT may only be late November but the whispers emanating from Kilmacud Crokes’ hinterland in south Dublin would suggest that thoughts are already drifting towards St Patrick’s Day and the steps of the Hogan Stand.

THANKFULLY, the first test in the International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia worked a treat.

Ireland manager Sean Boylan has announced his squad for the upcoming International Rules series against Australia.

GALWAY senior football captain and three-time All Star, Padraic Joyce, yesterday ruled out a return to the Irish jersey for the upcoming International Rules Series, confirming his initial decision to retire from the hybrid game.

Plans to resurrect the much-criticised International Rules series have been struck a blow with two Ulster counties rejecting the idea of it coming back onto the GAA calendar.

The GAA and the Australian Football League (AFL) will meet in Dubai this week for talks in a bid to restore the future of the International Rules series.

THE Irish International Rules squad will travel to France to finalise their preparations for their two Test series against Australia.

Eamonn Barry's reign as Meath senior football manager has lasted barely 12 months - former county player Colm Coyle was appointed as the Royals' new boss last night.

Tyrone trio Sean Cavanagh, Brian Dooher and Stephen O'Neill will be back in the yellow and black colours of Ulster on Saturday.

Cork's All-Ireland winning captain Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has thrown his weight behind efforts to alter the International Rules Series' controversial red card rule.

Supporters of Ireland's International Rules team are being urged to send Pete McGrath's side their messages of support on a new website.

AFL and GAA bosses have voiced their support for the future of the International Rules despite Ireland’s 50-point victory over the champions at Croke Park.

Australian International Rules team coach has Garry Lyon said the Aussies are set to claim their third consecutive International Rules Series.

Aussie Rules star Setanta O'hAilpin and Galway footballer Joe Bergin are due to join the Irish International Rules squad for training tonight.