Kernan makes his point

November 12, 2015

Ireland International Rules manager Joe Kernan.
©INPHO/Gary Carr.

Joe Kernan will be urging his Irish team to take their points in Saturday week's International Rules Test against Australia at Croke Park.

The Armagh man feels one of the reasons why Ireland lost last year's series in Perth was because they didn't score enough 'overs'. 

"We've concentrated big time on kicking the ball and we've concentrated on trying to take the score," the Ireland manager told RTÉ 2fm's Game On.

"Move the ball long and fast, don't run into traffic and take the score. If the three points is on, take the three points. Sometimes you'll be looking for goals and you lose the ball. Three points will do me."

Speaking at yesterday's unveiling of his squad, Kernan admitted it was a difficult task to whittle the numbers down from 70 to 23.

"We've 12 counties represented," he noted.

"Every county should be delighted that their player is representing Ireland and, maybe, winning the Cormac McAnallen Cup, being a winner.

"I used to say with the Railway Cup teams: 'Some counties won't win an Ulster title or an All-Ireland - but they could win a Railway Cup medal'.

"For our guys here, to represent their country and beat Australia, a professional team, boys earning half-a-million a year, that would be something really immense."


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