Let’s get physical

IRISH manager Pete McGrath has broken new ground with the use of rugby tackle bags in preparation for the first test against Australia in the International Rules Series at the Subiaco Oval on Friday.

It formed an integral part of the squad's first training session yesterday, less than 12 hours after checking into their hotel after an exhausting flight, and is aimed at counteracting what they anticipate will be "a high level of physicality" from the home team.

"We prefer to use tackle bags because they reduce the risk of injury. It's just to get the players into the mind set of this type of tackle, which is alien to our game,'' McGrath said.

"The tackle wouldn't be a strong feature of the way we play the game. But there are going to be situations where we'll have to tackle and we'll be doing a bit of tackling in each practice leading up to the first test."

Confirming that the late arrival last night of Kerry's Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan "should not in any way" diminish the prospects of them playing on Friday night, McGrath is upbeat about the way the team has trained.

Specifically, he indicated he hadn't detected any significant difference in the quality of preparation between the recent arrivals to the squad and those who had been involved for the past five or six weeks.

And, in terms of being ready to meet the home challenge head on, McGrath revealed the management had taken a policy decision several weeks ago not to have a warm-up game against a local Aussie Rules side.

One of the main reasons was that such games in the past had proven hazardous.

Tipperary star Declan Browne picked up an injury two years ago which ruled him out of the both test games.

McGrath maintains that the Australians' over-enthusiasm may have led to players getting injured in the past.

"We decided in the interests of this squad and of this series, not to have that game.''

It wasn't that they were pampering their players, he insisted, more a case of protecting them.

They want them to be right, physically and psychologically, and available for the first match.

"There's always a balance to be struck here and sometimes you go down on the side of caution. If we had a practice game and it went well and nobody was injured, then you'd say, 'it was right, meaningful, positive'. But, you have got to look at the potential pitfalls. We decided on the balance we could do without it."

McGrath is expecting both test games to be highly competitive, reflective of the standard Australia reached in the second game in Croke Park 12 months ago.

"We are gearing ourselves for a major challenge in terms of the physicality and the type of game we are led to believe the Australians are going to play,'' he said.

"It would suggest also that they have picked a team based on speed, mobility and agility. Obviously, they will be highly competitive. That's part and parcel of the game."

He paid tribute to the Tyrone and Kerry County Boards for their positive approach to the series, saying they were "very magnanimous" in the way they dealt with their fixtures.

Yesterday's session, at the ground of a local West Australian side, was notable for the approach of McGrath and his management team of Mickey Linden, Mickey Whelan, Larry Tompkins and John Tobin.

"All our training and preparation to date has been planned, and different people have different roles and take different parts. They are all talented, experienced people. There's no point in having them stand on the sideline with their hands in their pockets and not contributing.

"The type of session we did today drills and stretching and passing/shooting practice will be the blueprint for the week. But as we get close we'll reduce the intensity, to try to pitch it just right.''

He said they were working on the premise that Australia would be formidable opposition and they are gearing their preparations accordingly.

Tyrone defender Ryan McMenamin could be a doubtful starter, being forced to miss out a practice game at the end of yesterday's session.

Suffering from a chest infection, he was treated on the spot by team doctor Con Murphy and the manager expressed the hope that he would be able to take part in today's training session.

Sean Kelly pointed out that they had yet to arrange a meeting between the referees to discuss the rules.

And a decision has also to be made as to whether Michael Collins from Cork or Meath's Dave Coldrick will be the Irish referee. Both are members of the official party.