McDonnell: Rules win would be on a par with All-Ireland glory

STEVEN McDONNELL has admitted leading Ireland to International Rules success would rank alongside his sole All-Ireland success.

The veteran Armagh forward has been handed the armband for Saturday’s opening test against Australia at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds. He follows fellow Ulster man Sean Cavanagh in the role and admits he’ll take inspiration from other captains he has played under like Padraic Joyce and, with Armagh, Kieran McGeeney.

If he could emulate Cavanagh by winning the Cormac McAnallen Cup on behalf of Ireland he reckons it would be as proud a moment as when he helped claim the Sam Maguire in 2002.