The International Rules trophy has been named in memory of the late Cormac McAnallen who represented Ireland in the series over the past three years. At a joint announcement in Croke Park on Friday, October 15, the GAA and the AFL perpetuated the memory of the Tyrone football star, who died suddenly at the age of 24 last March. McAnallen's mother Bridget and his aunt were present at the announcement ahead of Sunday's first Test which now has a slightly later throw-in time of 2.10pm to facilitate Australian television. GAA president Sean Kelly said the association were looking at ways to remember the Tyrone captain and had originally discussed the concept of naming the medal for the most valuable player after him. "Dermot Power made contact with the Australians and they suggested that we should go the whole way and call the cup after him," he explained. "Our idea was the medal, theirs was the cup so it was a joint venture and what better role model than Cormac to name it after." Andrew Demetriou, chief executive of the AFL, said his association were delighted with the naming of the cup after Cormac. "For many years, even before Sean's time, we had been discussing what we should call the cup. "We felt it had to be someone special, someone who could symbolise the links between the associations and the countries. "We were shocked when we learned earlier this year of the tragic news of Cormac's death and we felt could there be a better person to epitomise and reflect the good things and values of this game. "I would hope that young people would look at this cup for inspiration and in time they will ask to be told the story of Cormac McAnallen," Demetriou said. Bridget McAnallen told of Cormac's great love for the International Rules series. "He enjoyed the trips to Australia. He was someone who encompassed the difference in cultures and always had great respect for other cultures. He enjoyed travelling and meeting people from other countries," she said. Tweet

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