Irish players urged to drop defensive mentality ahead of Croke Park clash with Australia

Ireland selector Pádraic Joyce admits Joe Kernan’s management have faced difficulties in convincing players to lose their defensive ways for the International Rules game.

Ahead of tomorrow’s one-off test against Australia in Croke Park, Joyce says the standard of kick-passing has not been up to scratch either.

“Our big thing is to try and get the guys to mentally change from the GAA to this game because even there in trial games we are watching lads drifting back and sitting in front of the D, which is not what you do in this game,” said Galway’s two-time All-Ireland winner.