Seán Cavanagh, captain (Tyrone)
The Irish skipper is a three-time All-Ireland winning player at senior level and a four-time All-Star. To cap off his achievements he’s been named the 2008 player of the year. Resisted the temptation to move Down Under for a career in the AFL having been offered a contract from the Brisbane Lions.
Graham Canty, vice-captain (Cork)
The Irish vice-captain is an International Rules veteran having played in five consecutive series between 2001 and 2005. Canty is also an All-Star winner having been named on the 2007 team of the year. The defender has two provincial titles with his county team Cork.
David Gallagher (Meath)
The Meath man from the same club as Irish coach Sean Boylan is the biggest surprise selection on the panel. Having not played inter-county football for two years due to injury, the Dunboyne man has been back in action for his club but playing in an outfield position. He has been selected for goal keeping duties during the series.
Colm Begley (Laois)
Begley is the only Australian-based player on the Irish squad with Tadhg Kennelly, Martin Clarke and Setanta O’hAilpin all out of contention due to injury. Begley himself had an injury interrupted season with the Brisbane Lions, only managing to play eight games in 2008. Before moving to Australia he played senior county football for his native Laois.
Paddy Bradley (Derry)
Despite being a dominant player in championship campaigns for his county side Derry for many years, Bradley makes his international debut in this year’s series. The talented full-forward has been nominated for All-Star Awards on five separate occasions but was overlooked the first four times and only received his first award in 2007.
Benny Coulter (Down)
This talented attacker is somewhat of an International Rules veteran, with 2008 marking the fifth time he has donned the Irish colours to take on Australia. Coulter also represented Ireland in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Bryan Cullen (Dublin)
Capable of playing in defence or attack this talented Dub played in goals during the second test of the 2005 International Rules series, after then goalkeeper Mickey McVeigh struggled with his net keeping duties. In this year’s series the Irish coaching panel will be ensuring that this playmaker stays out field.
Kieran Donaghy (Kerry)
Donaghy is one of the more interesting stories of this Irish panel. The Kerry man was only recruited to play senior football for his county after he was successful in a reality TV show called Underdogs, during which applicants attempted to prove that they were worthy of playing for their county despite being previously overlooked. Since joining Kerry he’s been a revelation at full-forward winning two All-Ireland medals ('06 and '07) and All-Star awards in 2006 and 2008.
Leighton Glynn (Wicklow)
Glynn plays both club hurling (Glenealy) and football (Rathnew) and becomes only the third Wicklow man to represent Ireland in the hybrid game, following in the footsteps of Kevin O'Brien and Pat O'Byrne
Finian Hanley (Galway)
After playing a big part in Galway's successful under-18 and under-21 teams Hanley made his senior debut in the 2005 and has since excelled at full-back winning two Connacht (provincial) titles, in 2005 and 2008.
John Keane (Westmeath)
It’s been a good year for Keane, with 2008 seeing him earn All-Star honours for the second time (the first was in 2004) and International Rules selection.
Aaron Kernan (Armagh)
Kernan’s dad, Joe, was coach of his county team when he made his debut on the senior Armagh side. However he immediately proved his worth on the squad being named the 2005 Young Player of the Year and has since won two Ulster provincial titles.
Ciarán Lyng (Wexford)
Lyng’s experience with the round ball isn’t confined to playing Gaelic football. The Wexford man played almost 30 matches at underage level for the Irish soccer team before moving to England to pursue a professional football career with Preston North End FC. Lyng made just one start for the English side before returning to Ireland and Gaelic football.
Steven McDonnell (Armagh)
This talented forward has a glowing football CV, the highlight being his All-Ireland victory with Armagh in 2002, closely followed by his three All-Stars and six provincial football titles. His international rules experience in 2003, 2004 and 2006 should stand him in good stead.
Enda McGinley (Tyrone)
Considered one of the best midfielders in the country, McGinley is a vital part of the Tyrone set up which has won the All-Ireland title in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Despite his prominence at senior level, 2008 is the first year that McGinley has been named in the All-Star line up.
Ciarán McKeever (Armagh)
McKeever had an outstanding season at left half-back for Armagh and established himself as one of the best man-markers in the game. Has strong leadership qualities, having been captain of his under-21 county side.
Joe McMahon (Tyrone)
Known almost as much for the beard he sported during the 2008 championship as he is for his football exploits, this versatile player is a double All-Ireland winner and can play in either defence or attack. Is a brother of fellow Irish player Justin McMahon.
Justin McMahon (Tyrone)
Justin, a younger brother of fellow panelist Joe, played full-back for Tyrone in their All-Ireland final victory over Kerry and kept his Irish teammate, full forward Kieran Donaghy, scoreless during the decider. Earned his first All-Star for his efforts.
Michael Meehan (Galway)
Micheal Meehan is the youngest of five brothers, all of whom play Gaelic football. Although his older brothers Declan -- a former international rules player -- and Tomas both have All-Ireland medals, a feat which the youngest brother is yet to achieve, he is considered one of the most talented forwards in the country. Has already won three provincial titles with his county team Galway.
John Miskella (Cork)
This talented half-forward was part of the Cork team that made history earlier this year by being the first team in the history of GAA to call a strike, which led to the cancellation of inter-county fixtures. The players were protesting over the fact that the Cork County Board had the right to choose the team’s selectors rather than the team manager. The strike ended after a 100-day stalemate.
Aidan O'Mahony (Kerry)
Kerry’s Aidan O’Mahony is a three-time All-Ireland winner. Considered one of the best defenders in the game, he also added the title of All-Star to his football achievements in both 2006 and 2007.
Pearse O'Neill (Cork)
This talented half-forward is another to be involved in Cork's historic strike. O'Neill has two provincial titles under his belt.
Tom Parsons (Mayo)
It’s been a quick rise to prominence for Mayo’s Tom Parsons. The midfielder made his debut in 2008 so earns international honours after just one year wearing a senior jersey.
Kevin Reilly (Meath)
Reilly is one of two players selected from coach Sean Boylan’s native county of Meath. Has been in action with his club Navan O’Mahonys until recently, so will be in good shape for international duty.
Killian Young (Kerry)
Young made his senior Kerry debut in 2007 and earned All-Ireland honours and the title of Young Player of the Year after his first year at senior level.
Paul Finlay (Monaghan)
A late addition to the squad in place of 2008 Player of the Year Tommy Walsh from Kerry, Finlay has been a stalwart of his county team Monaghan for years. He made his senior championship debut for Monaghan in 2003 and his father 'Jap' was a legendary Monaghan footballer.
Marty McGrath (Fermanagh)
A late call-up for Dublin’s Bernard Brogan, who was unable to travel due to club commitments. The Fermanagh midfielder will be eager to make the most of his late inclusion.
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
First Test – Subiaco, Perth, Friday 24 October
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday 31 October
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.
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
