James Horan: No surprise the best players out there want to play in interpro games

Aidan O’Shea, Enda Smith, Niall Morgan, Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy are among those lining out in the games. 

Dublin players Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy will be part of the Leinster squad for the interprovincial series. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Former Mayo manager James Horan has welcomed the news that top players from across the country will be involved in the inter-provincial series this weekend.

The proposed rule enhancements for Gaelic football will be trialled this Friday and Saturday in Croke Park with Leinster taking on Connacht in the first semi-final. A host of top players are expected to be involved including Aidan O’Shea, Enda Smith, Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy. Full squads are to be released later in the week.

Speaking on the Irish Examiner Gaelic football podcast, Football Review Committee member Horan said he expects the games to be competitive.

“You are talking about playing for your province,” he said. 

“The interpros are gone for a while now. Top players are ambitious and competitive. They want to play at the highest level they can and they want to win what they can. I’m not at all surprised the best players out there that are available want to play. I’m sure Connacht would love to win; Ulster would love to win another cup.

“Next weekend, I’m really looking forward to it. It is a very important weekend. It is on TG4 and RTÉ. A lot of people will see the games. They’ve heard about the rules and there is nothing like seeing it. Absolutely I think it will be key. Hopefully we have a good spectacle and it will help the understanding a little bit more.” 

Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan is a likely candidate to benefit from the two-points for a 45 rule and is also set to feature.

Horan, who will meet the Connacht squad and management on Tuesday night for a training session ahead of the weekend, also stressed that the rules will not force every team to play the same way.

“The underdog needs to be able to play the game a way to give them the best chance. I think there is loads of ways to do that. You can still be slightly more defensive, the 11 players that they have back they can stay deep, so they don’t give away goals. Yet when they transition the ball, they can go for goal more because goals are four points. Getting two goals in a game is worth eight points.

“What is really interesting, I think there are seven or eight teams who can win the All-Ireland next year, whoever goes after the rules and really maximises their game based on it, they could get a jump on teams. It could be the difference. I think it will be really exciting because there is a level playing field there.”