Philly McMahon calls for the return of a two-Test series

Given the long year he’s just had Philly McMahon can feel entitled to a holiday. That said he would have liked a second International Rules Test against Australia, having starred in Saturday night’s four point win at Croke Park.

The All Star defender was one of five Dublin players to feature in the game, and next week the team head to Thailand for a 10-day holiday as further reward for their All-Ireland-winning season.

Still, McMahon believes a two-Test series is the way forward, especially as the hybrid game appears to have rediscovered both its competitiveness and popularity.

“I think we need to stop talking about the future of the series,” says McMahon. “It’s there, it’s happening. There was a good crowd this year. And as you saw down in Australia, last year, there’s a massive crowd at those games. So it’s starting to build back up.

“I also think the two Tests gives the team a chance to learn a little bit more about the game, and gives the fans a second opportunity to see another big game. I know there is talk of one Test in New York, and one test in Australia and that would be really good.

“But it’s been a long year for me now and it’s nice to get that win and I’ll enjoy my holiday next week.”

Spirited bond

What made Saturday’s victory even more satisfying, says McMahon, was the spirited bond the among Irish players despite some fears – including his own – over how easily they would put aside their county allegiances.

“That was one thing I was thinking of coming in, this being my first Test, ‘will these lads actually battle? Will we come together?’ But Joe Kernan and his backroom team did a great job in putting us together, getting us fighting for each other.

“But I’m the type of player that if I commit to a team, I commit to the jersey that I put on. So if it’s for Ballymun, if it’s for Dublin, if it’s for Leinster, if it’s for Ireland, you put your grievances behind you; you battle with each other. And especially when you’re playing a physical sport like this. You need to rely on each other. You need to have the support of the players around you.

“We really bonded a lot in the last 12 weeks, and that really showed in the game. But it’s definitely something I’ve enjoyed doing, and it’s down to the management team, and what kind of a squad they’ve picked.”

Meanwhile Dublin’s footballers feature most prominently in the schedule of live Allianz League matches which will air on Setanta next spring. The 17 live games begin on January 30th with a repeat of Dublin’s All-Ireland final against Kerry and Jim Gavin’s team also feature in another five live games.

There will be three live games across both codes on Saturday March 5th, with Dublin’s footballers and hurlers playing Cork in a double-bill at Croke Park, while the Division Two game between Tyrone and Derry will also feature.

Dublin’s other live games are against Mayo (February 6th), Monaghan (February 27th), Down (March 12th) and Donegal (March 23rd).