Brogan loss a blow to Rules hopes

IRELAND’S chances of regaining the Cormac McAnallen Trophy have been dented by confirmation Alan Brogan will be unable to make the trip to Australia for the International Rules tests in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Brogan was one of the driving forces in Dublin’s capture of the Sam Maguire for the first time in 16 years last month and is hotly-tipped to be named Footballer of the Year but his focus right now is on club rather than country.

St Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh have yet to win the Dublin senior championship in its 51-year history but they have come close in recent years having finished runners-up in 2008 and reached the last four lastseason.