O'Keefe confirms 11 players for Rules series

Ireland's International Rules manager, John O'Keefe, has named 11 players that will definitely be part of the touring squad to…

Ireland's International Rules manager, John O'Keefe, has named 11 players that will definitely be part of the touring squad to Australia next month.

Laois star Beano McDonald and Down's Brendan Coulter are both selected for the first time following impressive showings in the championship this summer.

O'Keefe is still to name the remaining 16 members of his squad and confirmed the selection would be made a few days after the All-Ireland football final on September 28th.

Ireland are attempting to win back the series following Australia's victory on these shores last year and their cause has been boosted by the inclusion of a number of experienced Rules players.

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Kerry's Seamus Moynihan will captain the side while Ciaran McManus (Offaly), Trevor Giles (Meath) and Tadgh Kennelly (Kerry & Sydney Swans) strengthen the panel with their experience of the hybrid game.

The 11 players confirmed for the two-test series are: Seamus Moynihan (Kerry), Ciaran McManus (Offaly), Graham Canty (Cork), Anthony Lynch (Cork), Trevor Giles (Meath), Brendan Coulter (Down), Brian Mc Donald (Laois), Sean Martin Lockhart (Derry), Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), Paddy Christie (Dublin), and Tadhg Kennelly (Kerry & Sydney Swans).

Ireland play Australia in Perth on Friday, October 24th with the second test one week later in Melbourne.

Garry Lyon will coach the Australian side. The former Melbourne Demons star has led the side for the last two series and will again be assisted by Jim Stynes.