Earley names 29-man Ireland panel for Australia games

Ireland International Rules manager Paul Earley has named a 29-strong training panel for the two Tests against Australia, with Donegal's Michael Murphy confirmed as captain, while Cork's Aidan Walsh has been named vice-captain.

In total 15 counties are represented, although All-Ireland semi-finalists Kerry have no players on the panel.

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo have the largest representation with four players , while champions Dublin have a trio of players, including Ciarán Kilkenny, who spent time with Melbourne side Hawthorn. Laois' Zach Tuohy is the only current AFL player named in the Ireland squad.

Earley confirmed that Down’s Kevin McKernan will not be involved despite featuring prominently in the training panel after the Irish medical team advised that bruising to his knee was likely to be exacerbated by training for both his club and the Irish team.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm our training panel for the upcoming series and training has really stepped up in recent weeks with the inclusion of players from both of the All-Ireland finalists,” said Earley

“We have a great response from players both in coming to join the panel and in training and we are pleased with the progress made to date.

“Injury has prevented a number of players from making this panel but we are very pleased with the group of players we are working with and very much looking forward to the two games.”

The first Test takes place at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan on October 16th, with the second at Croke park on October 26th.

IRELAND (panel): Michael Murphy (Donegal, Capt); Aidan Walsh (Cork, vice-captain), Colm Begley ( Laois), Colm Boyle (Mayo), Ciarán Byrne (Louth), Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Paul Conroy (Galway), John Doyle (Kildare), Paul Flynn (Dublin), Finian Hanley (Galway), John Heslin (Westmeath), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Lee Keegan (Mayo), Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin), Paddy McBrearty (Donegal), Jack McCaffrey (Dublin), Niall Morgan (Tyrone), Neil McGee (Donegal), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Ciarán McKeever (Armagh), Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo), Conor McManus (Monaghan), Ross Munnelly (Laois), Paddy O' Rourke (Meath), Aidan Ó Sé (Mayo), Ciaran Sheehan (Cork), Michael Shields (Cork), Zach Tuohy (Carlton & Laois), Daithí Waters (Wexford).