Name: Graham Canty
Club: Bantry Blues
County: Cork
International Rules Appearances 12
Height: 6' 1"
DOB: 23/07/1980

Profile:

The undisputed leader of Cork’s All-Ireland winning team. Endured an injury-plagued season and still managed to come off the bench to help the Rebels over the line in the final. Won a GAA All Star for his heroics. The Bantry Blues man is playing in his sixth International Rules Series and is the most experienced player in the Ireland squad with 13 appearances. Joins Ciaran McManus at second in the list of Ireland’s record caps winners with his 14th international outing this evening. Vice-captain in 2008.

Name: Seán Cavanagh
Club: Moy Tír na nÓg
County: Tyrone
International Rules Appearances 8
Height: 6' 1"
DOB: 16/02/1983

Profile:

Cavanagh captained Ireland to the Series win in Australia in 2008, scoring 27 of Ireland’s 102 points total over two Tests, including a goal in the first Test in Perth. The 2008 Footballer of the Year, he has played 36 Championship games for Tyrone, winning All-Ireland titles in 2003, ‘05 and ’08, as well as four GAA All Stars. A superb athlete, he is arguably Ireland’s strongest exponent of the hybrid game. Scored seven points (0-1-4) in the first Test.  

Name: Colm Begley
Club: Parnells
County: Laois
International Rules Appearances 5
Height: 6' 3"
DOB: 31/08/1986

Profile:

Another of the Irish contingent who has played in the AFL, Begley spent three seasons with the Brisbane Lions from 2006 to ‘08 before joining St Kilda in ‘09. Returned to his native Laois at the start of the year. Begley was initially scouted when playing for the Ireland U19s in an International Rules game against Australia. Has made five appearances for his country in the code. 

Name: Bernard Brogan
Club: St. Oliver Plunketts
County: Dublin
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6'
DOB: 03/04/1984

Profile:

Brogan made his International Rules debut last week having missed the 2008 Series due to Club commitments. Perhaps the most naturally gifted forward in Gaelic Football, Brogan scored a remarkable 3-42 in Dublin’s run to the All-Ireland semi-final. Capped a phenomenal season by being named Footballer of the Year. Ireland’s leading scorer, including a brilliant solo goal, in the first Test.

Name: Martin Clarke
Club: An Ríocht
County: Down
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6'
DOB: 13/11/1987

Profile:

Mick Malthouse will be aware of Clarke’s ability, having coached the An Ríocht man for three seasons at Collingwood. After a successful stint with the Magpies, Clarke returned home to his native Down at the end of last year and played an influential role in Down’s run to the All-Ireland final. An old style playmaker, the 22-year-old is one of the most naturally gifted footballers and passers of the ball in the game. Landed a GAA All Star in his maiden season. 

Name: Stephen Cluxton
Club: Parnells
County: Dublin
International Rules Appearances 4
Height: 5' 11"
DOB: 17/12/1981

Profile:

Takes over from Meath’s David Gallagher between the posts. Cluxton featured for his country last week for the first time since he won the Irish player of the tournament in 2004. Enjoyed a superb year for Dublin. Cluxton has made 49 appearances for the Sky Blues and has been the number one goalkeeper in the capital since 2002, winning three GAA All Stars in that time. Arguably the best shot-stopper in the game. 

Name: Brendan Donaghy
Club: Clonmore Robert Emmetts
County: Armagh
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 1"
DOB: 20/04/1986

Profile:

Armagh’s stand-out performer in what proved to be a disappointing year. The 23-year-old captained the Orchard County in the McKenna Cup at the start of the year and then turned in a string of superb performances at corner back in the Championship. Named in defence on the Irish News All Star XV. Enjoyed a solid international debut last Saturday. 

Name: Leighton Glynn
Club: Rathnew (F) Glenealy (H)
County: Wicklow
International Rules Appearances 3
Height: 5' 11"
DOB: 08/04/1982

Profile:

Following in the footsteps of selector Kevin O’Brien, Wicklow man Glynn was a revelation in the 2008 Series, which Ireland won with the help of his indefatigable performances in both Tests. A versatile footballer, Glynn is also a fine hurler and, remarkably, picked up Wicklow Senior Championship medals in both codes at the start of the month. Glynn was one of Ireland’s top performers at the Gaelic Grounds, capping a fine display with an ‘over’.

Name: Daniel Goulding
Club: Éire Óg
County: Cork
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6'
DOB: 06/07/1986

Profile:

Cork’s All-Ireland final hero with a nine-point haul in the defeat of Down last month. A classy corner forward and supremely accurate free-taker from distance. He has scored 5-77 since making his Championship debut in 2006. The Éire Óg man was overlooked for a GAA All Star this year, but was named in the team of the year in 2009. Scored three points (0-1-0) on his debut in the code last week. 

Name: James Kavanagh
Club: Ballymore Eustace
County: Kildare
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 1"
DOB: 11/05/1985

Profile:

One of Kildare’s key players in their run to the All-Ireland semi-final. Kavanagh can consider himself unlucky not to have been named on the GAA All Star team. Named GPA Player of the Month for July for his consistent performances in the Qualifiers. A brilliant point scorer from distance, he also scored crucial goals against Monaghan and Meath. Will relish the physicality of the hybrid game. 

Name: Paddy Keenan
Club: St. Patricks
County: Louth
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 1"
DOB: 01/10/1984

Profile:

Made history last week by becoming the first Louth international. He was named at midfield in the GAA All Stars team, becoming Louth’s first-ever GAA All Star in the process. Keenan was the Wee County’s totem as they reached their first Leinster final in over half a century. Has boundless energy and is a superb fielder of the ball. 

Name: Tadhg Kennelly
Club: Listowel Emmetts/Sydney Swans
County: Kerry
International Rules Appearances 9
Height: 6' 3"
DOB: 01/07/1981

Profile:

A five-Series veteran, Kerry native Kennelly is one of the outstanding players in the AFL with the Sydney Swans. Moved Down Under in 1999 and has played 158 times for the Swans. The 29-year-old returned home for one season to play Gaelic Football with Kerry in 2009 and won an All-Ireland medal to add to the AFL Premiership title he won in 2005, securing a unique double. 

Name: Seán McDermott
Club: Western Gaels
County: Roscommon
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 5' 9"
DOB: 05/04/1984

Profile:

McDermott is the fourth Roscommon man to play for his country, following in the footsteps of Paul Earley, Francie Grehan and Gary Cox. The first international from the county since Cox wore the green jersey in 2003. McDermott was instrumental at corner back as Roscommon won a first Connacht title since 2001 this summer. 

Name: Ciarán McKeever
Club: St. Patricks Cullyhanna
County: Armagh
International Rules Appearances 3
Height: 5' 10"
DOB: 25/06/1983

Profile:

One of three Armagh men in the squad. McKeever made an outstanding debut in the code when he was one of Ireland’s best performers in the first Test in Perth in 2008. Has four Ulster GAA Championship titles to his name. A breaker and starter of attacks from centre-back. 

Name: Kevin McKernan
Club: Burren
County: Down
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6'
DOB: 03/12/1987

Profile:

Helped Burren to a 12th Down SFC title this month, capping a brilliant season for the centre-back. Broke into the Down inter-county team this summer and proved a revelation at number six, scoring two points from play against Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final. An adventurous, stylish defender, he scored a late ‘over’ in the first Test. 

Name: Brendan Murphy
Club: Rathvilly
County: Carlow
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 5"
DOB: 26/03/1989

Profile:

Came to prominence as the star player on the Carlow Minor team that lost the Leinster final to Laois in 2007. Caught the eye of Sydney Swans scouts and spent three years in the AFL before foot and shoulder injuries cut short his time Down Under. The Rathvilly man lost the Carlow county final replay on last Sunday, the day after making his international debut.

Name: Michael Murphy
Club: Glensuilly
County: Donegal
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 2"
DOB: 04/08/1989

Profile:

Murphy bounced back from missing a late penalty in the U21 All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin. His size and power in the full-forward line has seen him consistently linked with a move to the AFL. The Glenswilly man is one of the most talented players to emerge from Donegal in over a decade. Made his inter-county debut as a 17-year-old in 2007. 

Name: Kevin Reilly
Club: Navan O Mahonys
County: Meath
International Rules Appearances 5
Height: 6' 4"
DOB: 22/02/1986

Profile:

Reilly returned to action with the Royals this summer after nearly 18 months out of the game with a back injury. Looks to have found his natural home at full-back. Reilly is playing in his third International Rules Series, having starred for Ireland in 2006 and ’08. His physicality and size are well suited to the hybrid game.

Name: Michael Shields
Club: St. Finbarrs
County: Cork
International Rules Appearances 0
Height: 6'
DOB: 08/08/1986

Profile:

One of six Irish players with AFL experience. The St Finbarr’s man spent six months with Carlton in 2008 before returning home to Leeside. One of the best full-backs in the game and one of Cork’s leaders. Capped a dream season with a GAA All Star and a Footballer of the Year nomination. Missed the first Test as he was played on the ‘Barr’s team which lost the Cork Senior Championship final last Sunday. 

Name: Tommy Walsh
Club: St. Kilda/Kerins O Rahillys
County: Kerry
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 6' 4"
DOB: 26/02/1988

Profile:

Followed in Tadhg Kennelly’s footsteps when opting to play in the AFL after Kerry’s All-Ireland win last year. Walsh, a powerful and strong running forward, signed a two-year deal with St Kilda having come to the attention of AFL scouts with a string of outstanding underage displays for the Kingdom. The Young Footballer of the Year in 2008.

Name: Steven McDonnell
Club: Killeavy
County: Armagh
International Rules Appearances 8
Height: 6'
DOB: 13/07/1979

Profile:

An iconic figure in Armagh football, McDonnell has been handed the captaincy of his country by fellow Ulster man Anthony Tohill. Follows in the footsteps of another Armagh man, Kieran McGeeney, who led Ireland in 2006. McDonnell skippered the Orchard men to Division 2 success in the Allianz GAA National League last April. A three-time GAA All Star, the Killeavy man is playing in his fourth International Rules Series. Created a scoring record over the course of a two-Test Series with 34 points in 2003. The fourth Ulsterman to lead his country. McDonnell was Ireland’s second highest scorer with eight points (0-2-2) in the opening Test. 

Name: Finian Hanley
Club: Salthill/Knocknacarra
County: Galway
International Rules Appearances 3
Height: 6' 3"
DOB: 04/01/1985

Profile:

Galway’s sole representative in the squad. Hanley is vice-captain to McDonnell in just his second International Rules Series. He is one of the few natural full-backs left in the game. Hanley proved a natural at the hybrid game in the 2008 Series and will be looking to make amends for a disappointing season on the inter-county scene.

Name: Brendan Coulter
Club: Mayobridge
County: Down
International Rules Appearances 10
Height: 6'
DOB: 07/06/1982

Profile:

A veteran of five International Rules Series, ‘Benny’ Coulter is one of Ireland’s most experienced players with 10 caps. He scored two crucial goals to secure a Series win for Ireland in the second Test at the MCG in 2008. Coulter is a quality forward with an eye for a goal and is an exceptional fielder of the ball, whose skills are perfectly suited to International Rules football. Claimed his first GAA All Star last week. Missed the first Test with a hamstring injury. 

Name: Niall McNamee
Club: Rhode
County: Offaly
International Rules Appearances 0
Height: 6' 3"
DOB: 21/11/1985

Profile:

Originally on the standby list, but come into the panel for the first test. Scored 2-4 in Rhode's recent senior Offaly Championship final win over Clara. First Offaly man to play in series since Ciarán McManus in 2005.

Name: Emmett Bolton
Club: Eadestown
County: Kildare
International Rules Appearances 1
Height: 5' 11"
DOB: 30/11/1985

Profile:

Promoted to match day squad for first test due to Michael Shields unavailability. Scored 0-5 from play in this years Championship. He also received a GAA All-Star nomination at wing back after a great season.