Aussies to take in Croker clash after Ireland battle

THE emergence of the GAA 126 years ago might have signalled the death knell for cricket as a mass participation sport in Ireland but the two codes are set to come face to face at Croke Park next weekend.

Ricky Ponting’s Australian side arrives in Dublin on Saturday for next week’s one-day international (ODI) against Ireland at Clontarf and will be staying at Jury’s Croke Park Hotel for the duration.

A number of the squad are due to attend the Leinster football championship double header the following afternoon and, with Dublin in action, there is likely to be a near full-house in the 82,250-capacity venue on the day.