Boylan confirms squad for Salthill clash

Ireland manager Sean Boylan has announced his 25-man squad for Saturday's International Rules first Test against Australia.

The 2006 series of the hybrid game will start under the floodlights at Salthill's Pearse Stadium (throw-in 7.15pm).

The Irish squad is captained by Armagh stalwart Kieran McGeeney, with Sydney Swans' recruit from Kerry, Tadhg Kennelly on vice-captaincy duties.

Young Brisbane Lion Colm Begley, who hails from Laois and has been playing Aussie Rules for one season, is included in the Ireland line-up for the first time.

There are three players on standby for selection, in case of injuries - they are Tyrone attacker Stephen O'Neill, Westmeath marksman Dessie Dolan and Kerry midfielder Darragh Ó Sé.

The Australian squad arrived in Ireland yesterday and are currently staying in Killarney where they will have training sessions today and tomorrow.

The game in Galway has sold out and already over 55,000 tickets have been allocated for the second Test at Croke Park the following weekend.

IRELAND squad v Australia:

Kieran McGeeney (Armagh) (capt), Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney Swans & Kerry), Aidan O'Mahony, Marc Ó Sé, Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, (Kerry), Kevin Reilly, Anthony Moyles, Graham Geraghty (Meath), Alan Quirke, Nicholas Murphy, (Cork), Ronan Clarke, Stephen McDonnell (Armagh), Tom Kelly (Laois), Colm Begley (Brisbane Lions & Laois), Sean Martin Lockhart, (Derry), Shane Ryan, Alan Brogan (Dublin), Kieran Fitzgerald, Joe Bergin (Galway), Sean Cavanagh, (Tyrone), Brendan Coulter, (Down), Dermot Early (Kildare), Paul Barden (Longford), Karl Lacey (Donegal).