Kerry’s Tommy Walsh and Dublin’s Bernard Brogan will both be unavailable due to club commitments, meaning County Monaghan’s Paul Finlay and Fermanagh’s Martin McGrath have been called up. Finlay and McGrath were initially placed on a stand-by list when the travelling party was first announced by coach Sean Boylan.
To add to that no fewer than six players, including Irish captain Sean Cavanagh, will be late arrivals in Perth due to club action this weekend. All six players will depart from Ireland on Monday, lessening their preparation time for the first test on Friday.
The Irish captain will play for his club Moy in their county Tyrone final clash with Trillick this Sunday, delaying his departure.
However if the Irish skipper’s club wins on Sunday he could be faced with another dilemma as the winning team is scheduled to play in the Ulster championship on October 26, just two days after the first test in Perth.
Nevertheless, Cavanagh has confirmed that he will be travelling to Australia immediately after his club match on Sunday. If his club Moy progresses to the championship match, the Ulster council may postpone the game to allow for the star player's involvement.
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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.
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