Using other football codes to prepare for the 2008 Toyota International Rules Series has been a trend with the Irish securing former Irish and Toulouse rugby player Trevor Brennan to help with their tackling technique.
Assistant coach and former international rules player Nathan Buckley said Firrito’s first coaching session almost put him off the role altogether.
“The first time he stood into the soccer goals he got a bit of a shock because he didn’t realise that they are way bigger than the International Rules goals, so I had to go out onto the field and tell him," Buckley said.
"He felt a bit better after that. It was quite a relief for him. We nearly had a resignation before he started."
Despite the soccer training, Buckley admitted that the coaching panel wouldn’t be expecting too much from their net minder.
“He’s had a couple of sessions and he’s been taught about the angles and the positions. Just like the Irish using a former rugby player to teach them tackling, there’s only so much you can learn about goal keeping in one month," he said.
"Really though, much of the responsibility will go to our defenders to ensure that an Irish player doesn’t end up going one on one with him, because we know how dangerous they can be in that position.”
Buckley revealed that Firrito nominated himself for the position.
“It’s such an unnatural position for us, so we were delighted when he came looking for the job. (It) shows his willingness to take on the responsibility of what is an important role during the series.”
When the team congregates in Perth, goalkeeping coaching duties will be handed over to assistant coach and former International Rules goalkeeper Glen Jakovich.
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
First Test – Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday October 24
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
