GAA: Sheedy determined to succeed
Having won four AFL Premierships and waited 25 years to finally coach his country, Kevin Sheedy is determined to lead Australia to glory in this month's International Rules Series.
The Essendon veteran feels his squad - which is a lot smaller, faster and skilled than previous Aussie line-ups - is ideally placed to gain revenge on Ireland for the embarassment of last year's 132-82 Series loss in Dublin.
A host of All-Australian stars are missing from Sheedy's panel and he would not have it any other way.
"This (Australian team) is not so much a smash-and-crash team. We have definitely gone for a speed team more so than the older, regulated, experienced AFL players," said Sheedy.
"It was a tough task to build the team around the All-Australian team so we have had to ask (the AFL) to move that aside so we could have a crack at getting the right players into this team."
Sheedy, who has been given the coach's role for at least two years, is determined to make the most of his chance. "It has taken me 25 years to get this gig. You don't often get the chance to coach your country in AFL."
Jim Stynes, the first Irish-born player to play Aussie Rules, and his brother Brian Stynes, a 1995 All-Ireland winner and All-star, are specialist coaches in Sheedy's backroom staff. Assistant coach Danny Frawley, chairman of selectors Gerard Healy and goalkeeping coach Stephen Silvagni are also involved.
