Boylan finalises his back-room team

Ireland manager Seán Boylan will be joined on the sidelines by Anthony Tohill, Eoin Liston and Hugh Kenny when the International…

Ireland manager Seán Boylan will be joined on the sidelines by Anthony Tohill, Eoin Liston and Hugh Kenny when the International Rules series resumes in Australia next month. The trio will join Boylan as selectors as the tourists attempt to halt the embarrassing run of defeats that have threatened the future of the hybrid game.

All three worked with Boylan during the last round of matches in 2006  but Galway's Pádraic Joyce will not be on board this time around. Seán Walsh will again act as tour manager.

Pat McEneaney and Steve McBurney, meanwhile, have been handed the responsibility of keeping flashpoints to a minimum during the matches. The Monaghan official and his Australian counterpart were today confirmed as the referees for both Tests.

With indiscipline and violence marring the last two meetings between the sides, leading to calls for the venture to be scrapped altogether, the pair could have their hands full in the two tests.

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Ireland's preparations have already begun in earnest with Boylan and his team running the rule over his players during a number of training weekends in Dunboyne. And while the likes of Benny Coulter, Brian Cullen and Graham Canty have all be involved Boylan will now also be able to call on players from Kerry and Tyrone following the conclusion of the football championship.

"We are very pleased with the progress and hard work undertaken by the squad in training to date," Boylan said today. "There has been a huge response from the lads who are enthusiastic about playing the game and representing their country.

"Now that the championship has concluded we will have a clearer picture of the travelling squad over the next few weeks," he added.

Whether the selectors choose to call on any Irish exports to the AFL remains to be seen but Tadhg Kennelly of the Syndey Swans will definitely be absent as he is scheduled to have shoulder reconstruction surgery in two weeks time.

This year's tests take place in Perth on 24th October and Melbourne on 31st October.

Irish management team

Manager: Seán Boylan
Tour Manager: Seán Walsh                          
Assistant Tour Manager: Tommy Kilcoyne
Selectors: Anthony Tohill, Eoin Liston, Hugh Kenny
Runner: Seán Marty Lockhart