Armagh trio pull out of Tests

GAELIC GAMES:  Pete McGrath's International Rules panel has suffered several high-profile withdrawals, in particular the Armagh trio Steven McDonnell, Paul McGrane and Andy Mallon. All three cited personal reasons for being unable to travel to Australia for next month's two-Test series.

Armagh players were disappointed with the continued exclusion of Kieran McGeeney, while the only Irish squad member not to receive game time during last year's home series was Armagh's Philip Loughran.

However, an Armagh snub of the McGrath management is not evident, as Ronan Clarke and goalkeeper Paul Hearty have been among the players training at Ballymun Kickhams GAA club in Dublin for the last month.

That training also includes Westmeath All Star Dessie Dolan, who decided against an operation on a long-term groin injury.

A 26-man touring party will be announced on Monday.

Conal Keaney is the third Dublin player to cry off as, like Alan Brogan, he needs an ankle operation. Ciarán Whelan had already withdrawn owing to family commitments, leaving Bryan Cullen as the Leinster champions' only representative.

Selector John Tobin confirmed contact would be made this week with the 16 squad members involved in the All-Ireland final.

"The players have been coming up on Friday for a 7pm training session, staying over and moving to Westmanstown on Saturday morning for a 9am session before returning home," said Tobin.

"We have met four or five times so far. New players like Michael Meehan and Paddy Bradley are adapting very well to the game."

Tobin has been involved with International Rules teams since the hybrid game's second coming in 1998. His role as a "runner" during Colm O'Rourke's stint as manager (1998-99) makes him a natural choice for McGrath's backroom team alongside Mickey Whelan, Larry Tompkins and Dr Con Murphy.

He also coached the under-17 team that included Tadhg Kennelly before the Kerryman joined the Sydney Swans in 1999.

Kennelly will surely be an important member of the final panel after becoming the first Irishman to win a Premiership medal in Saturday's Grand Final.

Tobin admitted an influx from the Kerry and Tyrone camps was essential for Ireland to succeed in Australia, especially since Essendon's Kevin Sheedy became the first current Aussie Rules coach to take the national post.

"We had made unofficial contact with the Kerry and Tyrone players before last week and they all seemed keen to travel but I suppose it comes down to injuries and whether they are club-tied."

Straight away a problem arises here as the Tyrone club championship is back on this weekend, thereby clashing with the management's plans to hold trial matches in Dublin.

"I just hope they are all available as it will be a tough series, especially considering what happened last year," added Tobin.

"The appointment of Kevin Sheedy is indicative of the Australians' stance towards the series, as he won four Premierships with Essendon."

Sheedy has been in charge of Essendon since 1981, spanning almost 600 AFL matches, winning his last Premiership title in 2000. He also represented Australia against Ireland in 1978.

His appointment is expected to boost the profile of the series by attracting quality players who were unwilling to interrupt their off-season for previous coaches Gary Lyon and Dermott Brereton.

Last year's Australian captain, James Hird, plays under Sheedy at Essendon, making him the obvious choice to fill the leadership role, in direct opposition to Galway's Pádraig Joyce, once more.

The first Test is at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Friday, October 21st. The second Test, a week later, switches from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the Telstra Dome, which was unavailable two years ago because of Ireland's rugby World Cup match against Australia. The Subiaco Oval holds 43,500. The Telstra Dome's capacity is 53,300.

Both games are at 7.30pm.

Adult tickets range from 20 to 35 Australian dollars but the most expensive junior ticket is only 13.50 Australian dollars. Family tickets (two adults and two juniors) range from 40 to 83.50 Australian dollars.

Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.au.