FIRST AID KIT Ireland recovery complete and O’shea plans fast start in Perth
AIDAN O’SHEA has revealed some Ireland players were still in bed recovering from a vomiting bug 90 minutes before the start of last week’s International Rules first Test.
On the eve of today’s second Test match in Perth, the entire Ireland squad was given the all-clear with “only” support staff left suffering.
“We had players in bed probably about 90 minutes before the game last week,” Ireland captain O’shea said yesterday with the Irish going down to a 63-53 defeat in the baking heat of Adelaide last weekend.
“Thankfully, it’s just been the backroom team that has been sick this week. The playing group has been fine.”
Australia are strong favourites to regain the Cormac Mcanallen trophy having secured a crucial 10-point lead in Adelaide but O’shea says the series is far from over.
“A 10-point lead to the Australians is only a threepoint lead in our game so we could get back into it… they did very well in the third quarter the last day,” the Mayo captain said.
“We did well to keep the lead as it was going into the fourth so it’s still all to play for. We’ve drafted a few boys in as well so as group we’re quite happy and a lot more content going into this week.
“We’ve got to start well but we can’t afford to give them
AUSTRALIA
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“They played really well in front of goal so we need to make sure we match them everywhere.”
Ireland holds a 21-18 advantage over Australia in the 41 previous international rules matches between the two countries since 1984.
Ireland have also been the dominant side in the past six years, losing just one of the past seven Tests since 2011.
Kernan believes the additions of Monaghan’s Darren Hughes and Cork’s Ciaran Sheehan has boosted
Irish chances with Pearce
Hanley the only squad member out through injury,
“The first Test is over, we’ve learned from it,” said Kernan.
“Ten points might seem like a big lead, but not in this game where a goal is six points and an ‘over’ is three.”
A full house is expected in the last sporting event to be held at the 40,500 capacity Domain Stadium.