I am not really a gambling man but when I see a gap in the betting markets, I sometimes make an investment.

Former Kildare underage star Seán Hurley wants to follow in the footsteps of Tadhg Kennelly and conquer the Australia Football League.

Former Kildare underage star Seán Hurley wants to follow in the footsteps of Tadhg Kennelly and conquer the Australia Football League.

Ireland coach Paul Earley has applauded Australia for demonstrating their faith in the International Rules concept after naming what he regards as their best squad ever.

Two more young Gaelic footballers are set to leave these shores to pursue a professional career in Aussie Rules.

Kildare’s Daniel Flynn admits he is quickly readjusting to life in Australia.

Eleven Irish players, including three members of the Kildare senior panel, are set to take part in an AFL trial event in London this week.

Kildare could be about to lose another senior footballer to the AFL, with reports in Australia suggesting that Seán Hurley is expected to join Fremantle in October.

Maybe it was the half-hour or so he took to put the subs through the drills after the final whistle but Jason Ryan was at least able to resort to humour by the time he got round to sharing his thoughts on being sucker-punched.

Ciarán Sheehan has described his move to AFL outfit Carlton Blues as an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

Ireland 57 (2-12-9) Australia 35 (1-7-8)

It has been ignored, ridiculed, blamed for the departure of every Irish player to the AFL, castigated for occasional outbreaks of violence and, more than once, even shelved. However, the International Rules Series is back. Again.

Tadhg Kennelly believes AFL clubs will continue to look at Ireland as a potential source of recruits, pinpointing Kildare duo Daniel Flynn and Paddy Brophy along with Kerry’s Pádraig Lucey as bright prospects.

JUST a case of Ireland going through the motions this morning? Think again, says vice-captain Ciaran McKeever.

KARL LACEY is expected to be the odd man out for tomorrow’s International Rules first test.

ZACH TUOHY was the only Irish player on a winning team in round 13 of the AFL season, as the improving Carlton accounted for Tadhg Kennelly’s Sydney Swans 100-66 yesterday.

ZACH TUOHY revealed he had to stop himself from having an over-animated celebration when scoring his first AFL goal for Carlton against Brisbane on Sunday, satisfying himself with a simple raised right forefinger.

WHILE his former team-mates were bowing out to Dublin the Leinster championship Portlaoise’s Zach Tuohy was basking in glory after making his AFL debut.

Laois native Zach Tuohy has been selected to make his AFL debut for the Carlton Blues against Port Adelaide on Sunday, joining Cork's Setanta Ó hAilpín in the team.

THE same day his opinions on the new breed of code-breakers made headlines Down Under, Tadhg Kennelly also did his talking on the pitch on Saturday night, helping the Sydney Swans to an emphatic victory on his return from injury.

JACK O’CONNOR is adamant that both Tommy Walsh and David Moran will play for Kerry again.

SETANTA O hAILPÍN’S hopes that he had established himself in a specific role on the Carlton team have been dashed as the Cork man has been named at full-back for the Blues’ clash with Port Adelaide on Sunday.

AUSTRALIAN coach Mick Malthouse will not ask his players to rein in their natural aggression despite the future of International Rules depending on their behaviour, while Ireland captain Seán Cavanagh described the last Series, which was marred by violence as the “low point” of his career.

Down youngster Martin Clarke let his boots do the talking as he kicked three goals and a behind in Collingwood's 95-87 loss to Hawthorn in the AFL Premiership earlier today.

Tadhg Kennelly and his Sydney Swans team-mate Jared Crouch are to run the New York Marathon in November to help raise awareness about heart disease.

Australian coach Kevin Sheedy has announced a 24-man squad for the upcoming Coca-Cola International Rules series against Ireland.

Laois youngsters Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley have both signed two-year rookie contracts with Aussie Rules club Brisbane Lions.

Australian coach Garry Lyon has named his 27-man squad ahead of the International Rules test series against Ireland Down Under later this month.

WIMBLEDON champion Lleyton Hewitt has been given permission to skip the final day of Australia's Davis Cup play-off against India in September to live out a sporting fantasy and play for his beloved Adelaide Crows Australian Rules Football team.