Places still up for grabs in Ireland’s Rules Series squad

AUSTRALIA may have finalised its 26-man squad for the upcoming International Rules Series, but Ireland’s squad remains very much a work-in-progress.

With a number of high-profile players out of contention, the chance is open for some lesser lights to shine in the hybrid game this time round.

John O'Keefe and his management team will wait until Saturday week just eight days before the opening test to finalise their squad.

O'Keefe and his backroom team will reduce their panel from 33 to 26 for next month's International Rules games and may bring in two new players, with Nicholas Walsh (Cavan) and Fergal Doherty (Derry) tipped to make the grade.

The latest casualty is Kildare star Dermot Earley, who is out with a serious ankle injury sustained in the opening minutes of the Kildare SFC semi-final last Sunday. "Anthony Tohill, Sean Marty Lockhart, Michael Donnellan and Ja Fallon are all out as well and they were all experienced players in the Rules Series," selector Martin Connor said yesterday.

"We have a few new players in training who wouldn't be so used to the rules, but that is getting better with time.

"We would hope to have the Armagh and Kerry lads back training with us this week. It's only two weeks before the opening game, but we'll probably name the final panel after training on Saturday week. Things are changing all the time."

One of the chief concerns for the management team of O'Keefe, Connor, Peter McGinnity and Martin Carney, will be the spate of county finals due to be played this weekend.

Should injuries be picked up by any players, the Irish staff have little time to go back to the drawing board with the first test to be played on October 13.

Ireland's preparations in the home series two years ago, were dogged by the farcical situation of having players tog out for their club on one day and their country the next.

Last month O'Keefe admitted it was a matter of grave concern. Not only did it leave players flat for the Australian games, he said, it was also highly dangerous to ask such a commitment of players in the space of 24 hours.

Connor accepts that the matter of club finals is a concern, but was equally keen to praise the efforts of the Irish panel after a long and hard season at club and county levels.

"It is a problem, there's no getting away from that," the former Offaly player agreed. "It's a situation we were aware of before now and we'll just have to do our best around it.

"It might stop guys from training this week, but overall our training has been going very well.

"The commitment they have been putting in has been exceptional and you have to admire the commitment of guys from the likes of Cork and Galway and places like that. It's a long haul up the country for training on a Saturday, but everyone has been great."

As for Gary Lyon's Australian panel, Connor is aware they will be a formidable opponent, especially in view of the tradition in the series which has seen teams struggle on their own patch.

"Generally, it is easier as the visiting team. The side gets more time together and with that it's easier to create team spirit. Australia will be out for revenge after losing both tests like they did last year and they usually do well over here. It should be interesting."