International Rules: Paul Earley names Michael Murphy as Irish captain against Australia
Tuesday 28 October 2014 17:27, UK
Irish International Rules team manager Paul Earley has named his 25-man squad to face Australia next month and confirmed Donegal star Michael Murphy will once again captain the side.
In total 15 counties are represented in the Irish side with beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists Mayo leading the way with four players – Colm Boyle, Lee Keegan, Kevin McLoughlin and Aidan O’Shea – while Brisbane Lions’ Pearse Hanley is the only Australian-based player.
Three Tyrone players, Sean Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly and Niall Morgan, will represent Ireland, but only one each from Dublin, James McCarthy, and All-Ireland champions Kerry, with midfielder David Moran, make the cut.
The Irish squad will depart on November 12 before facing Australia at Patterson’s Stadium in Perth on November 22.
Earley led Ireland to a comfortable two-Test series win at home last year against an Australian squad made up entirely of indigenous players.
Ireland face a much bigger challenge this time around against what is effectively an AFL All Star squad but Earley is confident he has selected the right players for the job.
“I’m pleased to confirm the 25 players who will represent Ireland in the latest series and we travel to Australia anticipating a very strong challenge from the hosts,” he said.
"The players who we have chosen have worked hard in recent weeks and have shown many of the attributes that we hope will allow us to build on some of the promising aspects of last year’s series performances.
“As a group we are looking forward to showcasing all that is good about Gaelic football while representing Ireland.”
2014 Ireland Panel (IRS v Australia): Colm Begley (Laois), Colm Boyle (Mayo), Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone), Cathal Cregg (Roscommon), Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), Finian Hanley (Galway), Pearse Hanley (Brisbane Lions), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Lee Keegan (Mayo), James McCarthy (Dublin), Ciaran McDonald (Tipperary), Neil McGee (Donegal), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Kevin McKernan (Down), Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo), Conor McManus (Monaghan), David Moran (Kerry), Niall Morgan (Tyrone), Ross Munnelly (Laois), Michael Murphy (Donegal) - Captain, Colm O’Neill (Cork), Pádraig O’Neill (Kildare), Paddy O’Rourke (Meath), Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), Aidan Walsh (Cork) - Vice Captain.
