Whelan pulls out of Oz trip

Dublin midfielder Ciaran Whelan has withdrawn himself from the provisional Ireland squad for next month's International Rules trip to Australia.

Whelan, one of four Dublin players, along with Stephen Cluxton, Alan Brogan and Bryan Cullen named in manager Pete McGrath's squad, had been invited to train with the squad over the next six weekends before a final cut is made.

Having hit the heights at centrefield in Dublin's run to the Leinster title this summer, Whelan has dropped out as his wife Fiona is expecting the couple's first child in November.

The towering Raheny clubman was a member of the Irish squad that claimed the Rules series on Aussie soil back in 1999, but has not been involved for Ireland since 2001.