Brogan and his club colleagues crashed out at the semi-final stage to local rivals St. Brigid's, and while the defeat was disappointing it now frees him up to prepare for the two Tests against Australia in the coming weeks.

"We didn't expect an easy game with the club. They are local rivals and they just hit us and we had no answer," he said.

"We only scored five points on the day and it was very unlike us. We just couldn't get to grips with them.

"The Irish panel is being named on Thursday and we had training last weekend in Limerick, but I missed it because I was in action with the club.

"Hopefully I will be in with a shout on Thursday and get to wear the Ireland jersey."

Brogan was speaking at the launch of Champion Sports' 'the Strip Club' in Grafton Street and says that Ireland manager Anthony Tohill and his selectors were always going to leave the door open to him even if St. Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh had progressed to the county final.

"They understand the commitments lads have with their clubs," he added.

"I was obviously carrying a bit of a knock over the last few weeks so I wasn't able to train with them.

"Loads of times I got a couple of sessions in, and was there when I could, so hopefully I will be in with a shout for selection on Thursday."

Brogan says that the Irish have been focusing a lot on building their skills ahead of this year's Tests, after some bruising, hard-hitting encounters with the Aussies in the past.

"A lot of it is skill-based work, the tackles and stuff like that which is very important.

"The Aussies are very good at that so we are trying to work on that. I think they aren't sending over an army of 6ft 5in men.

"They are sending over athletes and lads who are able to play ball that is skilful. Hopefully there will be good skilful games and there will be good football played."