Nine All Stars named in strong International Rules squad

Wed, 11 Nov, 2015 - 15:30

By William O'Toole

Bernard Brogan will captain Ireland in this month's International Rules tests against Australlia, as manager Joe Kernan names five Dubs in the squad.

Brogan will be joined by fellow teammates which include footballer of the year Jack McCaffrey, Philly McMahon, Rory O'Carroll and Diarmuid Connolly.

GAA GPA All-Star Footballer of the Year Jack McCaffrey is part of the squad.

The former Armagh manager named a 23-man squad at Croke Park this morning which features nine All Star winners.

As well as the five from Dublin, there are three from Tyrone, two each from Laois, Kildare, Cork, Monaghan and Mayo, while there will be one player each from counties Clare, Tipperary, Longford, Kerry and Donegal.

"We've been delighted with the response and hard work put in by players from all over the country in the last eight weeks in a bid to represent Ireland," said Kernan.

"Unfortunately injuries and club commitments have ruled some players out, but I am happy that we have still managed to assemble a very strong squad."

Kernan also believes that Ireland need to up their game if they want to clinch the series this year because Australlia is sending over a very strong squad to compete.

"The fact that they are sending over such a strong squad means that we will need to up our game if we want to take those boys on and that is exactly what we plan on doing."

Irish squad to face Australlia

1 Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

2 Colm Begley (Laois)

3 Gary Brennan (Clare)

4 Bernard Brogan (Dublin) Capt

5 Eoin Cadogan (Cork)

9 Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

10 Eoin Doyle (Kildare)

11 Peter Harte (Tyrone)

13 Darren Hughes (Monaghan)

15 Lee Keegan (Mayo) Vice Capt

17 Paul Kerrigan (Cork)