There was relief for Ireland manager Anthony Tohill on Saturday when Parnell's defeat to Ballymun Kickhams in the Dublin SFC quarter-final freed up team captain Stephen Cluxton and Colm Begley to play in the International Rules series.

Had Parnell's won, they would have been in semi-final action next weekend which would have left the pair facing a club versus country dilemma. As it turned out, though, Cluxton and Begley were able to fly out to Australia yesterday with Irish team-mate Leighton Glynn, who starred in Rathnew's Wicklow SFC semi-final replay victory over St. Patrick's on Saturday. The Wicklow final won't take place until after he returns.

Galway's Finian Hanley, who was Ireland vice-captain last year, is also now expected to be available after his club Salthill-Knocknacarra lost their Galway SFC semi-final replay to Tuam Stars yesterday.

Meanwhile, Australia have axed Colin Sylvia from their squad after he left the scene of a car accident in the early hours of yesterday morning. However, the Melbourne Demons player later assisted police with their enquiries and was cleared of any wrongdoing.

"AFL and Australian team management have determined that Colin Sylvia will not join the team for IRS series against Ireland. It was the view that his preparation for series was not appropriate and he should not join the team. The squad will now stand at 23 players," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.

The GAA has confirmed that Ireland will not play a formal practice match before next Friday's first Test in Melbourne with spokesman Feargal McGill explaining: "The team played a touring VFL selection last Wednesday. The VFL selection also played matches against Na Piarsaigh in Cork, Salthill, Ballyroan and Donaghmore/Ashbourne." Tweet

Most Read Stories