A 40-man Irish International Rules squad will be announced on September 1st next and manager Pete McGrath will later reduce the panel to 28 in advance of the two-Test series against Australia on October 17th and 24th.
To avoid the numerous withdrawals of recent years, after players have been selected, McGrath has begun contacting players to check their availability. The two-time All-Ireland winning manager with Down (1991 and 1994) has also been in consultation with his selectors John O'Leary, Larry Tompkins, John Tobin and Mickey Linden in recent weeks. However, there will be no sessions until after the squad is named.
"We did decide against extended trials because in the past it's been found trials are held and quite often people aren't available because of the championship. So, rather than fatigue people and maybe sicken people we decided to have a more compressed approach to it. We intend to hold our first get-together in the first weekend of September."
McGrath is aware of the intricacies of the ever-developing hybrid game: "I believe the best Gaelic footballer makes the best player. I think people with high levels of physical fitness are required. A player does need to be physically strong as well."
The Australians - who are said to be preparing already - have been gradually changing the type of player they send, with a greater emphasis on footballing skills as opposed to brute force in recent years (Gary Hall being the exception).
Meanwhile, Mayo vice-captain Gary Ruane will lead the team out against Fermanagh in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final after the management preferred Pat Kelly at left-wing back ahead of captain Fergal Costello. The Kilmaine defender replaced the struggling Costello in the first half against Tyrone.
"It's just one of those things really," explained selector George Golden. "Pat Kelly had been putting serious pressure on for selection and his form was too good to ignore."
Fermanagh, who report a clean bill of health, select their side this evening after training. Wicklow County Board have reappointed Hugh Kenny as manager of the senior football team for a second year.
Colm Cooper did not line out for the Kerry under-21 team against Cork in the Munster final last night in Tralee. Cooper picked up a hamstring strain during last Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Dublin at Croke Park and there are now serious concerns about his fitness to line out for Kerry in the semi-final tie with Derry on Sunday week.
First-time Munster champions Cork received the short end of the stick when they drew All-Ireland champions Mayo in the women's football quarter-finals on August 28th. This match is part of a double-header in O'Connor Park, Tullamore with Monaghan facing Kerry in the second match. The other ties take place on the same day in Pearse Park, Longford, with last year's beaten finalists Dublin playing Donegal and Laois taking on Connacht champions Galway.
MAYO (SF v Fermanagh): P Burke; C Moran, D Heaney, G Ruane (capt); P Kelly, J Nallen, P Gardiner; R McGarrity, D Brady; J Gill, K McDonald, A Dillon; C Mortimer, T Mortimer, B Maloney.
CORK (IH v Kilkenny): A Nash; J Crowley, L Hayes, R McCarthy; B Walsh (capt), T Lordan, D Fitzgerald; T Healy, J Olden; J Russell, D Dineen, B O'Dwyer; E Conway, R Doherty, S Hayes.
SLIGO (SF v Clare): J Curran, C Neary, N Clancy, N Carew, R Keane, N McGuire, K O'Neill, G Maye, S Davey, B Curran, P Taylor, K Quinn, J McPartland, D Sloyan, A Marren.
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: All-Ireland Quarter-finals: Saturday August 28th: O'Connor Park, Tullamore: Cork v Mayo, 1.30; Kerry v Monaghan, 3.30. Pearse Park, Longford: Galway v Laois, 1.30; Dublin v Donegal, 3.30.
