McGrath’s ploy can ensure home rule

IRISH manager Pete McGrath has a simple wish for tomorrow’s Coca-Cola International Rules Series opener against Australia at Croke Park tomorrow, (2.10pm).

McGrath, wants points and plenty of them, something which previous Ireland sides have failed to manage in the hybrid game, which has sold over 50,000 tickets.

What’s that old adage about kicking points and the goals will come?

“Kicking, passing and shooting in particular were elements that maybe let the Irish teams down in the past,” McGrath says. “But, I think we have the necessary firepower in our squad. We have fellows who can kick scores under pressure and will not be found wanting in this regard. Players have been left in no doubt about the importance of taking three-pointers rather than trying to make the final pass to get in for a six-pointer.”

Victory is vital as Australia have taken a stranglehold on the affair. Under current manager Gary Lyon, Australia won 65/58 in the first test on their last visit to Croke Park two years ago, with the second test producing only the second draw in the history of the competition.

Twelve months ago, the Aussies recorded the first-ever success on home soil by winning the first test in Adelaide by ten points. While they were beaten in the second test in the MCG, the margin at the end was a mere three points.

Overall, it means that the countries have each won 11 tests, with two drawn.

Only eight of last year’s Irish players remain - plus Declan Browne, who did all the training but was injured in the warm-up - and three more who played previously. Among this group is Tadhg Kennelly, who was one of the stars of Ireland’s last tour success, in 2001.

McGrath and his co-selectors (Larry Tompkins, John Tobin, John O’Leary and Mickey Linden) have plenty of experience with the likes of Sean Marty Lockhart and Ciaran McManus (each with experience of ten test games). It also features Graham Canty, team captain last year and the Irish player of the series, current captain Padraic Joyce and Stephen McDonnell, who was the outstanding Irish forward in Australia. Add in the precocious talent of the like of Browne, Ciaran McDonald and Mattie Forde and it makes for an impressive line-up.

The GAA concession on the tackle represents a greater compromise and it’s the one area where players remain very vulnerable. That’s why accurate passing, which enables team-mates to gain clean possession unchallenged - and ultimately to get them into scoring range - is so important.

The message for the home players is to build a sufficiently strong lead to sustain them over the course of the final quarter. And the management will have a vital role to play by organising the inter-change to ensure that the players on the field have the stamina to survive physically. It may be asking a lot, but it’s the only way the Irish can be sure of winning - and keeping the series alive.