McCarthy: Domestic demands hinder fielding best Rules team

The GAA’s amateur status, the demands of inter-county and club commitments mean Ireland will never be able to present its best team in the International Rules, according to Dublin star James McCarthy.

The PwC footballer of the month for September has had to turn down an invitation from Joe Kernan to be part of the extended panel before next month’s two tests in Adelaide and Perth.

McCarthy, who lines out with Ballymun Kickhams against Kilmacud Crokes in tomorrow evening’s Dublin SFC semi-final, hopes he is playing with the club into November, but his work with AIB means he won’t be able to take the time off to fly to Oz, anyway.