The prospect of International Rules returning brings an opportunity to reopen one of the more enjoyable selection debates in Irish sport: who would you send out to take on the Australians?
Picking this team requires a slightly different approach to choosing an All-Star XV. The best Gaelic footballers will always feature prominently, but pace, physicality, aerial ability and the willingness to take a tackle all come into the equation.
There is also the opportunity to bring Irish players in the AFL back into the fold, combining their experience of the Australian game with the skills that first brought them to attention at home.
Our selection brings those players into positions familiar from their Gaelic football backgrounds. It is a hypothetical squad, with availability put to one side, and we have opted for 26 players before naming four more on standby.
Picking A 26-Man Ireland Squad For An International Rules Return Vs Australia
1. Rory Beggan – Monaghan
Beggan gets the nod in goal. His kicking gives Ireland a way of moving the ball quickly over distance, while his composure in possession would be particularly useful when the Australians come looking to apply pressure.
2. Finnbarr Roarty – Donegal
Roarty brings the speed and aggression we would want in a corner-back for this assignment. There is room in this team for a defender who enjoys getting tight to his opponent and has the pace to recover when a move breaks down.
3. Oisín Mullin – Mayo/Geelong
Mullin takes the full-back position, combining his Gaelic football defensive instincts with experience of the Australian game. His acceleration would also give Ireland an outlet when there is an opportunity to carry possession out of defence.
4. Tom O’Sullivan – Kerry
O’Sullivan completes the full-back line. Comfortable defending and contributing further up the pitch, he offers the footballing ability to turn a turnover into a scoring opportunity without needing several passes in between.
5. Gavin White – Kerry
White’s running makes him an appealing selection for the hybrid game. We would want him attacking space from deep, forcing opponents to turn and giving Ireland a way of breaking through pressure with the ball in hand.
6. David McBrien – Mayo
McBrien anchors the half-back line. With White and Eamonn Armstrong either side of him, his job would be to provide defensive security, compete for possession and pick the right moments to join the attack from deep.
7. Eamonn Armstrong – Meath/St Kilda
Armstrong completes an athletic half-back line. His ability to cover ground and carry the ball earns him the jersey, with the intention of making Ireland’s defenders a constant attacking threat.
18 November 2017; Aidan O Shea of Ireland is tackled by Ben Brown of Australia as they both jump for the ball during the Virgin Australia International Rules Series 2nd test at the Domain Stadium in Perth, Australia. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
8. Conn Kilpatrick – Tyrone
Kilpatrick provides a powerful presence in the middle. His fielding and willingness to compete physically would be central to Ireland’s attempts to win possession and get their forwards involved.
9. Mark O’Connor – Kerry/Geelong
O’Connor partners Kilpatrick, bringing familiarity with both codes into an important part of the field. We would use him to help get stuck into the Aussies as well as compete for the ball himself.
10. Stephen O’Hanlon – Monaghan
O’Hanlon is the sort of player this selection is made for. His acceleration and ability to change direction could make him a difficult opponent to contain, particularly when receiving possession on the move.
11. Ryan O’Donoghue – Mayo
O’Donoghue gets the centre-forward role, where we would want him involved as often as possible. He can create, finish and bring others into the game, with plenty of movement around him in this attack. The thought of him seeking out and squaring up to the biggest Aussie on the field is also an appealing idea.
12. Dara McDonnell – Louth
McDonnell, playing out of position provides another running option on the opposite wing. His role would involve supporting midfield, carrying possession forward and taking to the skies to claim some handy marks.
13. David Clifford – Kerry
There was never going to be much debate about this one. Clifford’s kicking, handling and ability to win possession make him an obvious selection, while his presence would give the Australians a considerable defensive problem.
14. Con O’Callaghan – Dublin
Recommended
O’Callaghan leads the attack. His strength and direct running offer a threat close to goal, and the prospect of him playing between Clifford and Conor McKenna is enough to make the series worth bringing back.
15. Conor McKenna – Tyrone/Brisbane Lions
McKenna takes the other corner-forward position. We would give him freedom to move out the field and attack from different angles, using his pace and familiarity with both games to stretch the Australian defence.
The substitutes
16. Niall Morgan – Tyrone
A strong alternative to Beggan, Morgan offers another goalkeeper comfortable taking responsibility in possession. There would be a convincing argument for starting either man.
17. Daniel O’Mahony – Cork
O’Mahony provides cover across the full-back line. His inclusion gives Ireland another option for a demanding marking assignment and allows the defence to be adjusted without losing its physical edge.
18. Brendan Rogers – Derry
Rogers offers valuable flexibility between defence and midfield. He would be an option if Ireland needed more presence around the middle or a different approach to an opposition forward.
19. Daniel Guinness – Down
Guinness covers both the half-back and half-forward lines. His pace, power and versatility is important in a squad like this, allowing changes in personnel without having to reshape the entire team.
20. Conor Glass -Derry
Glass would be pushing hard for a starting place. His combination of Gaelic football ability and Australian experience makes him a particularly useful option to introduce into midfield.
21. John Maher – Galway
Maher offers another midfield option and could also operate in the half-forward line. His work rate and size would be valuable when Ireland need fresh legs to support attacks and get back behind the ball.
22. Conor Nash – Meath/Hawthorn
Skilled across Gaelic football, rugby union and AFL, Navan man Nash adds size and experience of the Australian game. He gives this squad a different physical option around the middle, particularly when the contest becomes a battle for possession in crowded areas.
23. Ray Connellan – Westmeath
Connellan’s previous AFL experience strengthens his case, alongside what he offers as a Gaelic footballer. He provides another option for carrying the ball through midfield and competing in the air.
24. Kobe McDonald – Mayo/St Kilda
McDonald takes a place among the attacking replacements. We would want him coming into a game with the freedom to take on his opponent and make something happen in open spaces where his pace and guile has the chance to shine.
25. Sam Mulroy – Louth
Mulroy offers a reliable target in attack and another scoring option. If Ireland need greater composure in front of the posts, he would be one of the first players we would look towards.
26. Luke Loughlin – Westmeath
Loughlin completes the squad. His directness and willingness to shoot from long range gives Ireland another forward capable of changing the tempo when introduced.
The standby list
Reducing the original selection to 26 leaves four players outside the squad, each with a case for inclusion.
Barry McNulty – Leitrim: The Glencar/Manorhamilton man offers a combination of size, athleticism and scoring ability that would make him an intriguing option for the hybrid game. We see him competing for a place around midfield or the half-forward line, where he could carry possession forward and provide an additional target in the air.
Ikem Ugwueru – Clare: His pace and power make him an attractive option for a game that rewards carrying the ball and breaking tackles. A man who can play in multiple positions.
Niall Carolan- Cavan: A further defensive option with electric pace, the Cavan native would come into consideration if Ireland needed additional cover in the full-back.
Glen Malone – Wexford: The Wexford man offers another option in the half-back line, where his power and willingness to get forward would suit the approach of this team.
SEE ALSO: Cork Star Highlights Tomás Mulcahy Call That Ended Glen Rovers Drought
SEE ALSO: Tipperary Legend Takes Remarkable Haul To Eight Senior Titles Across Five Different Clubs