Test 1 - International Rules 2011

Action from Limerick last year

There isn't much excitement or hype around the International Rules this year. The media spotlight has mostly been focused on the Presidential election and the recent flooding. Also the Dubs aren't ready to move to the next challenge. They still want to bask in their All-Ireland victory. Last year, the failure to generate hype could be partially blamed on the fact that the Daily Mail was the official sponsor. Obviously other newspapers aren't eager to put a competitor's logo on the front page. What's the problem this year?

Held in Australia
The time difference is tough to overcome. Those few of us left with jobs will be at work when the first test starts tomorrow at 9:45am Irish time. Are the organisers trying to make this difficult? Are they hoping our sleep patterns are still out of whack from the Rugby World Cup? Surely the series could have been held during the weekend.

Stephen Cluxton as Captain
The Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is the Captain of the team. This is a terrible choice for two reasons. First a keeper can't throw in a wild tackle to fire-up the squad and set the tone. When the Aussies get physical - and they will be brutal - the response will have to come from someone in the mix. Cluxton is going to spend his evenings watching the wides sail over his head and contribute little else.

Second, Cluxton won't speak to the media. Whatever the reasons behind this - it's alienating to supporters. How can we be expected to cheer for a squad led by a guy who won't even acknowledge or indulge our interest? Cluxton may well be a half-wit with no charisma but at least it would give us something to talk about. The choice is all the more frustrating because there are perfectly appropriate candidates for Captain in Kieran Donaghy and Leighton Glynn.

Tohill Needs to Go
Anthony Tohill did a bad job last year. His 'big idea' was to play football - actually leave the ball on the ground and play soccer. The thinking was with the ball on the ground the Aussies wouldn't be able to use their tackling prowess. Guess what coach?...you don't have a soccer team! The Irish squad looked clumsy with the ball on their feet. Also they looked scared. Not picking up the ball is asking the Aussies to put a shoulder in and knock us around. It left us vulnerable.

With this terrible 'football' tactic we fell so far behind in the first test that we couldn't make up the difference in the second. Tohill made a serious mistake. His counterpart Mick Malthouse on the other hand has steadily improved in his tactics and panel choices. If the Irish win it will be in spite of Tohill, not because of him.