Reilly set for international stage

The International Rules series returns this October amidst the farrago of the last attempt to marry the athleticism of the Australian game with the skill of Gaelic football.

Discipline issues were hammered out and the violence that surrounded the last series was tackled by the GAA and the AFL through a series of negotiations to bring back the game.

Now the rest of the talking will be done on the pitch and DCU student Kevin Reilly is part of the Irish contingent that will commence battle with the Aussies in Perth on October 28.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be selected to play for your country and I’m delighted to be given a chance to be a part of the Irish team,” said Reilly. “We are well into our preparation and won’t be afraid of the Australians when the time comes.”

Fellow Meath man Seán Boylan takes charge of his second International Rules squad, his first spell in charge being the infamous debacle of 2006 that reached new depressing levels of sportsmanship.
That series was overshadowed by violence and indiscipline - Boylan even admitted to bringing his players off at the end of the first quarter in protest – temporarily signalling the end of the hybrid game.

But Reilly doesn’t fear a similar chaotic dust-up this time around and feels both sides will give
everything to win yet stay within the parameters.

He said: “Discipline will be a primary factor but after everything that has happened in previous tests we’ll be out to prove a point and show what International Rules is all about.”

Boylan has named a relatively inexperienced squad with 17 of the 27 strong panel set to feature in an International Rules test for the first time, and Reilly is one of those players new to this level of competition.

“We’re training flat out since the provisional panel was announced, everybody has been trying to impress Seán and his staff from the off, but we were all picked on our current form,” said Reilly.

“No player in the squad is relying on their reputation, each individual is giving it 100% and we all want to do well for our country and win the series.”

Reilly feels the team have adapted to the rules without difficulty, and has no doubt that this side is capable of matching the physicality of the Australians. “We train hard and that has helped us all adapt to the rules, we train with a lot of intensity, setting a very high standard for what’s ahead of us. Everything boils down to training and all the lads are determined - you can see it at every training session – plenty of training will give us the experience we need to adapt to the rules.”

Australian coach, Mick Malthouse, has also gone with an inexperienced team comprising of the AFL’s next generation of stars, however injuries to key players influenced his decision.

Reilly isn’t concerned with the opposition and feels Ireland won’t let the noises made in the Australian camp affect their preparation for the series.

He said: “They [Australia] have picked an inexperienced team too, their game is really all about being physical but we’re certainly not afraid of meeting them on the pitch – we’re not thinking about them.”
Fresh from winning the Meath senior football championship with his club, Navan O’Mahonys, Reilly is preparing for the International series with the added bonus of his first county championship medal.
He said: “Everything is going well, I’ve had a tough last few weeks between club and country and it’s been a busy time but I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.It always a sweet moment to saviour in the career of any player, winning a county championship means a lot and I’m delighted to have that first one under my belt.”

Photo: Sportsfile.