Optimistic Joe Kernan understands reasons for International Rules withdrawals

Ireland International Rules manager Joe Kernan understands James McCarthy’s view that the country may never be able to field their strongest team, but he is happy with the hand available to him travelling to Australia.

The Dublin star is unavailable to Kernan on two counts: Club duty with Ballymun Kickhams in a Dublin final on Monday week and work commitments preventing him travelling with the squad on November 5.

McCarthy said last week: “You’ve got such a long season, committing to all the hard training, injuries. Ireland will never put their strongest team forward, I don’t think they ever have put their strongest side out. It’s just the nature of it, unfortunately.”