JOE KERNAN HAS announced the Ireland squad for the upcoming International Rules series against Australia.
21 players have been selected, although two more will be added from a stand-by list of seven.
Mayo have four representatives, with Aidan O’Shea, Brendan Harrison, Chris Barrett and AFL-based star Pearce Hanley included, while Kerry have three players involved.
Although they were initially selected, club commitments forced Paul Kerrigan to miss out, while an ankle injury has denied Conor McKenna the opportunity to represent his country for the first time.
It means two of Mattie Donnelly, Niall Grimley, Connaire Harrison, Caolan Mooney, Sean Murphy, Brendan Murphy and Sean Powter will also be selected to travel following further training sessions which will take place this week.
Mayo’s O’Shea will captain the team for the first time, while Monaghan forward Conor McManus has been named vide-captain.
Darragh Ó Sé, Pádraic Joyce and Dermot Earley are part of Kernan’s backroom team.
“I’d like to congratulate all of the players who have made the panel and acknowledge not only their hard work and training but that of all of the players who trialed and trained with us since our preparations commenced,” Kernan stated.
“Everyone involved is enthused by the prospect of representing Ireland and we are fully aware of the challenge involved in trying to retain the Cormac McAnallen Cup won against Australia at Croke Park two years ago.
“We are looking forward to pitting ourselves against the best the AFL has to offer in the coming weeks.”
Here’s the squad in full:
Ireland 2017 International Rules Squad
Niall Morgan (Edendork, Tyrone)
Chris Barrett (Belmullet, Mayo)
Gary Brennan (Clondegad, Clare)
Eoin Cadogan (Douglas, Cork)
Killian Clarke (Shercock, Cavan)
Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers, Kerry)
Kevin Feely (Athy, Kildare)
Paul Geaney (Dingle, Kerry)
Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast/Ballaghadereen, Mayo)
Brendan Harrison (Aghamore, Mayo)
Conor Mc Manus (Clontibret, Monaghan)
Michael Murphy (Glenswilly, Donegal)
Niall Murphy (Coolera/Strandhill, Sligo)
Paul Murphy (Rathmore, Kerry)
Karl O’Connell (Tyholland, Monaghan)
Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy, Mayo)
Niall Sludden (Dromore, Tyrone)
Enda Smith (Boyle, Roscommon)
Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen, Tipperary)
Zach Tuohy (Geelong/Portlaoise, Laois)
Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne, Galway)
Stand-by players
Mattie Donnelly (Trillick, Tyrone)
Niall Grimley (Madden Raparees, Armagh)
Connaire Harrison (Glasdrumman, Down)
Caolan Mooney (Rostrevor, Down)
Sean Murphy (Fenagh, Carlow)
Brendan Murphy (Rathvilly, Carlow)
Sean Powter (Douglas, Cork)
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