New boss expects Aussies to up the ante

Ireland’s new International Rules manager Paul Earley admits that the series has lost some of its sparkle because the Australian have curbed the physical aspect of their play — but he expects a tougher challenge this time around.

Earley, who yesterday announced Derry’s Tony Scullion, former Tipperary manager Seamus McCarthy and former Dublin midfielder Ciarán Whelan as his selectors, agrees Mick Malthouse and Rodney Eade’s side have been on good behaviour since the violence-marred 2006 series.

“I think the last Series in particular, maybe the squad they had wasn’t very strong anyway, the Irish squad was much stronger.

“But yeah, there was probably an element of that after the 2006 Series that they were warned, I suppose, ‘hold back’. There needs to be a physical element to it, that’s one of the attractions. It also needs to be played at a high pace and lots of scoring opportunities.

“It’s two years now since anyone has played the game. There will be new players on the squad.”

Earley also acknowledges the earnestness of the Australians’ commitment to the series will be proven by the strength of their squad coming to Ireland next October.

“Traditionally, they have come here with a strong side. You only have to look at the results here, they won six of the eight series.

“I know everyone is talking about the last series when Ireland won by a record score — 63 or 64 points whatever it was — but you only have to go back to ’04 and ’05 when Australia won both here and in Australia, a two-test series and they played some fantastic football.

“There was one game in Perth where they broke 100 points so things can change very quickly if they send the right squad.”

Earley will also have former Cavan midfielder Nicholas Walsh, who currently works with the Great Western Sydney Giants, as Ireland’s conditioning coach.

The 48-year-old reveals he will be leaning towards selecting players with talent rather than those with physical prowess.

“The way the game has developed, the first thing you need is a high level of skill. The reality is it is a much faster game when it is played that way.

“Players don’t have as much time on the ball so the ability to perform the skills under the pressure of time and space is a big thing and that’s very, very important. So high skill level is number one. They’ve got to be athletic, agile, you are looking for different types of players for different positions but ultimately there will be a lot of the more skilful players.”

Earley is also keen for both teams to do more socialising together to strengthen bonds.

“The last couple of series were played in a better spirit and I think also the Australian game has developed interestingly the last few years. It has become a more sanitised game. It is a more fluid game and I suppose it has mirrored Gaelic football as well in that it is a possession game. There aren’t as many of the big hits.

“Interestingly enough, parents are less accepting over there of their kids getting involved in a very physical game. So there has been a cultural shift and I would hope that that would manifest in the game being played in the right spirit.”