The Ireland management is to make an official complaint this morning about the goalposts' measurements in Football Park, Adelaide. Last night the panel trained at the venue, which hosts Friday's second International Rules test.
Already irritated that only one set of posts had been erected, the team subsequently discovered that the width of the goalmouth was about a foot shorter than the regulation 21 feet.
This morning AFL officials will be asked to measure the distance between the posts and rectify the shortfall. The crossbar also caused comment, as it sags in the middle and reduces the goalmouth dimensions further.
Irish referee Pat McEnaney acknowledged that the goalmouth "does look a bit small".
The shrinking of the goals is seen to have definite implications for the match. Last Friday, Australian goalkeeper Simon Goodwin struggled to adapt to the position - which has no equivalent in Australian Rules - and was lobbed by Kieran McGeeney from about 50 metres for Ireland's second goal. Any reduction in goal size would accordingly reduce Goodwin's exposure.
On the injury front, there was mixed news. Ciaran Whelan who yesterday was all but ruled out because of a hamstring injury picked up at training on Monday, received a more positive diagnosis after a scan.
It seems that damage to the hamstring is minimal and that the player was suffering more from cramp than any longer-term damage. He is given an 80 per cent chance of playing.
On the other hand Niall Buckley will play no further role in the series. His hamstring injury has failed to respond to treatment and he will not be considered for Friday's match. Dermot McCabe is rated doubtful because of his ankle injury. Nonetheless he had some light exercise last night, running a couple of laps.
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