GAA praying for an outbreak of
peace
 By Graham
Clifford
The future of the International Rules series between Ireland and Australia
may well hinge on this year’s Tests between the two sides.
Last year Down Under we witnessed some awful scenes as the Aussie Rules
stars ran riot defeating Ireland in both games to lift the Cormac McAnallen
Cup. The hosts literally battered their opponents with the second game
especially being a terrible advert for the code.
The Brisbane Lions defender Chris Johnson was sent off after committing
a vicious clothesline tackle on Tyrone’s Philip Jordan and also
struck Wexford’s Matty Forde leading to a chorus of criticism from
the Irish management team.
Now a year on the Aussies say they’ve cleaned up their act and the
referees have been told to harshly penalise any dangerous play.
Certain rule changes have been implemented after last year’s debacle.
As of this year a player who receives a red card will be sent off and
no replacement will be allowed. In addition to this a penalty is awarded
regardless of where the incident takes place.
Previously a replacement was allowed and a penalty was only awarded if
the incident happened in the penalty area. Also a yellow card will now
mean a 15-minute sin bin for the offending player who will be sent off
if he receives a second card.
Irish manager Sean Boylan has named Armagh powerhouse Kieran McGeeney
as captain for the series which kicks off this Saturday in Galway before
the second Test which takes place in Croke Park on November 5. Kerry and
Sydney Swans star Tadhg Kennelly is expected to shine in the Irish colours
having missed last year’s Test Down Under through injury.
Another player Irish fans will be keeping a close eye on is Kerry full-forward
and player of the year in waiting Kieran Donaghy though the Austin Stacks
man has confirmed he’s having difficulty coming to terms with the
new code.
Australia who set up base in Killarney ahead of the first Test will be
coached by Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy.
The squad which features a host of young talent as well as a sprinkling
of more experienced players received a major boost last week when Aussie
Rules stars Michael Voss, captain of the Brisbane Lions and dangerman
Brendan Fevola were drafted in by Sheedy.
Ireland comfortably won the International Rules series when it was last
played on home soil but last year’s mauling in Australia where the
hosts won by a record winning margin of 57 points will be difficult to
turn around.
However victory may be secondary in 2006 as the series desperately seeks
to clean up its image otherwise its future will be in serious trouble.
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