February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
But following last year’s defeat, the Aussies have gone for a well known coach, Kevin Sheedy, who is famous for is unorthodox style, to try and motivate their team. And they have taken the unusual step of having a pre-series training camp in Busselton, Western Australia. Sheedy was given permission to select players who are not All-Australians and he has done so, naming just four All-Australians in his 26-man squad. Sheedy will be assisted by Dublin brothers Jim and Brian Stynes. Jim Stynes is a former Brownlow Medal winner, while younger brother Brian recently returned to live in Australia after a period back home in Dublin.
So we can expect to see some rough and tumble stuff on Friday. Irish captain Padraig Joyce knows what to expect. He said: ‘They will try to unnerve us because they are a proud nation who won’t have taken last year’s defeat too kindly. We are expecting it tougher this year and it’s likely to be bit more of a battle. However, we have a number of players who won’t back away form those type of situations if they arise, but we’re not overly concerned with that side of the game.’
Manager Peter McGrath will have to do without Kerry-born Aussie Rules star Tadhg Kennelly, who picked up an injury at the end of the Australia season. But he still has a good mixture of skill and brawn and 10 new players including Kerry star Colm Cooper. The Gooch is a good man to kick a point, but he could also suffer some rough-house tactics from the Aussies. Also in the squad is Tyrone’s Sean Kavanagh, who has just turned down an offer from Brisbane Lions.
I think we are likely to see a few red cards this time around as the Aussie don’t fancy the prospect of two defeats in a row. The second test is in Melbourne on Friday week.
K CLUB FEES
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The K Club in Co. Kildare, which will stage the Ryder Cup next September, plans to raise its green fees in 2006 for the Palmer Course by 40 percent to