Cooper and Brosnan due to arrive in Australia this evening

Kerry stars Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper and Eoin Brosnan are due to touch down in Australia later this evening to join the Irish International Rules squad.

The two forwards delayed their departure to play in the drawn Kerry county semi-final between Dr Crokes and Laune Rangers last Saturday

Ireland take on Australia in Perth this Friday in the first test of the International Rules series, with the second match taking place in Melbourne on October 28.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that AFL champions the Sydney Swans are set to offer Tadhg Kennelly a lucrative new contract, in an attempt to persuade him not to return home to play for Kerry.

Kennelly has made no secret of his desire to emulate his father and brother in winning an All Ireland with his county.