McGrath goes without Gooch

International Rules Ireland v Australia: Speed and mobility are the main characteristics of the Ireland panel for this month's Coca-Cola International Rules series, writes Seán Moran GAA Correspondent

Manager Pete McGrath announced his selection yesterday, unveiling a finely-balanced blend of experience and new recruits. Thirteen of the 26 players have previously played at this level.

Two Kerry players were in the news, with conflicting reports on Tomás Ó Sé's injury and questioning of McGrath over the omission of footballer of the year favourite Colm Cooper.

"We only heard about the Tomás Ó Sé incident last night," said McGrath. "We have been told that he will get a second opinion on his injury. There'll be no decision on his inclusion in the panel until we're 100 per cent sure that he's unavailable. At the moment there's an ambiguity about the situation.

"John Tobin (one of McGrath's selectors) was talking to Dr Con Murphy who had been in touch with Tomás and Dr Con felt that he might well be capable of playing in the second Test, although this Sunday might be a doubt."

Kerry county chair Seán Walsh refused to rule the player out of the reckoning: "Tomás has a suspected slight fracture, and it's very slight because I spoke to him yesterday and as of this morning (Monday), he's not yet ruled out."

McGrath explained that Cooper had looked tired at last weekend's trial.

"Colm was only with us for one weekend and played in last Friday's full-scale trial game. I had the feeling that he looked tired and he didn't play particularly well. This season he's done exceptionally well but he looks at the end of his tether and our call was that he mightn't be ready for it next Sunday."

Cooper himself, in Dublin to collect his Vodafone Footballer of the Month for September, while acknowledging McGrath's point said he had experienced some disappointment.

"If it happened, it happened. I was talking to Jack O'Connor and he was saying that I could do with the break. I'm feeling a bit fatigued and maybe it's all for the best. The fact that I was only in for one trial probably wasn't ideal."

McGrath was reluctant to go into too many specifics on the pattern of play he intended to adopt but the selection suggests the emphasis will be on fast movement and mobility. The manager added that he wanted an improvement in the shooting of overs.

"I have said that passing and shooting have let the Irish down in recent years. This series won't be won on six-pointers. When the chances arise for three-pointers, we should take them rather than hang on for the final pass trying to get six pointers."

Asked whether the team would have the physical presence to cope with the Australians, McGrath didn't seem especially concerned.

"They have the courage to stand up to the physical demands. I'm confident that no one will be taking a step back and that no one will be intimidated."

The Ireland manager also said the tendency of Irish teams to fade in the final quarter wasn't an insurmountable difficulty.

"The key to unlocking that problem will be the use of the inter-change players. There's a need for accurate information on who's been used and who's been playing and for how long. It's the key to sustaining the effort into the final quarter."

A potential clash with the Cork hurling final will be addressed by GAA president Seán Kelly. The match, between Na Piarsaigh and Cloyne, is scheduled for Sunday week, October 24th, the same day as the second Test.

With the Ó hAilpín brothers selected for the Tests and both having played in Sunday's semi-final (Setanta as a replacement), the conflict could cost Ireland two important players.

"Cork have pencilled in that date for many weeks," according to Kelly, "but the county has always been proud and supportive of the games and players and I believe that they would be willing to look at the situation.

"Judging by the crowd at the semi-finals, Páirc Uí Rinn would probably not be big enough for the final and the date may have to be changed anyway but I'm quite sure it can be sorted out."

The Australian party arrive this morning and coach Garry Lyon, in charge for his fourth and final series, will conduct a media conference at midday.

Ireland Panel

Steven McDonnell Armagh

Philip Loughran Armagh

Setanta Ó hAilpín Cork/Carlton

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín Cork

Graham Canty Cork

Seán Martin Lockhart Derry

Brendan Coulter Down

Stephen Cluxton Dublin

Bryan Cullen Dublin

Alan Brogan Dublin

Pádraic Joyce Galway

Joe Bergin Galway

Tomás Ó Sé Kerry

Eoin Brosnan Kerry

Paul Galvin Kerry

Tadhg Kennelly Kerry/Sydney Swans

Tom Kelly Laois

Ciarán McDonald Mayo

James Nallen Mayo

David Heaney Mayo

Ciarán McManus Offaly

Declan Browne Tipperary

Brian McGuigan Tyrone

Seán Cavanagh Tyrone

Dessie Dolan Westmeath

Mattie Forde Wexford

On Stand-by

Mickey McVeigh Down

Martin McGrath Fermanagh

Denis Glennon Westmeath

Rory O'Connell Westmeath