2015 International Rules Series

{{Infobox Australian rules football match

| year = 2015

| competition = International Rules

| match_type = Series Test

| image = 2015 International Rules Series logo.png

| ground_image =

| ground_imagesize =

| caption =

| home = Ireland
{{flagicon|Ireland|size=50px}}

| home_abbr = IRE

| away = Australia
{{flagicon|Australia|size=50px}}

| away_abbr = AUS

| date = 21 November 2015, 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| stadium = Croke Park, Dublin, County Dublin

| attendance =38,386

| umpire = Joe McQuillan (Ireland)
Mat Nicholls (Australia){{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/joe-mcquillan-international-rules-2425999-Nov2015/|work=The42.ie|date=4 November 2015|title=The man who sent off Diarmuid Connolly will referee International Rules test|quote=Joe McQuillan has been confirmed as the Irish referee for the International Rules clash...[he] will share refereeing duties on the field of play with Australia’s Mat Nicholls.|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170321041841/http://www.the42.ie/joe-mcquillan-international-rules-2425999-Nov2015/|archivedate=21 March 2017}}

| coin_toss = Australia

| kick_end = Nally / Hill 16 End

| network = RTÉ2 (simulcast in Australia on 7mate and Fox Footy)

| commentators = Marty Morrissey (commentator)
Martin Carney (expert commentator)
Luke Darcy (expert commentator, from Seven Network/Triple M)
Tadhg Kennelly (boundary rider)

| last = 2014

| next = 2017

|away_qtr1=0.4.1 (13)|away_qtr2=0.6.5 (23)|away_qtr3=0.11.6 (39)|away_qtr4=1.13.7 (52)|away_score=1.13.7 (52)|home_qtr1=1.5.0 (21)|home_qtr2=3.8.1 (43)|home_qtr3=3.10.12 (50)|home_qtr4=3.11.5 (56)|home_score=3.11.5 (56)}}

The 2015 International Rules Series (officially the 2015 EirGrid International Rules Test{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/eirgrid-to-be-unveiled-as-international-rules-sponsors-31464523.html|title=EirGrid to be unveiled as International Rules sponsors|work=Irish Independent|date=20 August 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170321041359/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/eirgrid-to-be-unveiled-as-international-rules-sponsors-31464523.html|archivedate=21 March 2017}}) was contested between Gaelic footballers from Ireland and Australian footballers from Australia. The 19th series of International rules football since the concept's inception in 1984, Australia entered the test as defending champions, following their 10-point victory in the solitary test match in 2014. The match was played at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, on Saturday, 21 November.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-confirm-single-international-rules-test-for-november-1.2141513|title=GAA confirm single International Rules Test for November|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=16 March 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20150317132841/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-confirm-single-international-rules-test-for-november-1.2141513|archivedate=17 March 2015}}

As per the previous year, the series was a single one-off test match, with the winner of the test match claiming the Cormac McAnallen Cup. Ireland were the winners of the series, defeating Australia by 4 points.

Fixture

Test match: Ireland v. Australia, 21 November 2015 at Croke Park, Dublin

Background

=Irish team=

Newly elected GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail had the luxury of choosing a new Irish management team, after the traditional two-year stint for former manager Paul Earley expired at the conclusion of the previous series.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/gaelic-football/gaelic-football-news/international-rules-series-continue-played-5344487|title=International Rules: Series will continue to played as a one-off Test match, GAA and AFL confirm|date=16 March 2015|work=Irish Mirror|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20150520164237/http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/gaelic-football/gaelic-football-news/international-rules-series-continue-played-5344487|archivedate=20 May 2015}} In March 2015, the GAA announced 2002 All-Ireland SFC winning Armagh manager Joe Kernan as the new manager of the Irish team. {{Rquote|left|For us to be able to put on the green jerseys that [Irish soccer and rugby players] wear with such pride, you see the national anthems and the emotion, we’d just love to have that feeling and that opportunity|Bernard Brogan, Ireland captain{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/1027/737775-bernard-brogan-international-rules-ireland/|title=Bernard Brogan proud to represent Ireland on International Rules stage|work=RTÉ|date=27 October 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326090822/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/1027/737775-bernard-brogan-international-rules-ireland/|archivedate=26 March 2017}}}} Kernan spoke of a desire to emphasise the skills component of the game in his selection policy. He was joined on the selection panel by Pádraic Joyce, Darragh Ó Sé and Dermot Earley Jnr.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/joe-kernan-confirmed-as-ireland-s-international-rules-manager-1.2159956|title=Joe Kernan confirmed as Ireland's International Rules manager|work=Irish Times|date=31 March 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326091116/http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/joe-kernan-confirmed-as-ireland-s-international-rules-manager-1.2159956|archivedate=26 March 2017}} On 24 October 2015, the GAA announced that Dublin's three-time All-Ireland SFC winning forward Bernard Brogan Jnr would be appointed captain of the Ireland team for test match against Australia. Speaking of the appointment, Brogan stated "it is both an honour and a privilege to not only represent Ireland, but to captain the national team too. As footballers, opportunities to play for Ireland and pit our skills against athletes from other nations and codes are few and far between and next month we will test ourselves against arguably the strongest ever Australian team to come here."{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2410151139-2015-eirgrid-international-rules-irish-captain-announcement/|title=2015 EirGrid International Rules Irish Captain announced|work=GAA.ie|date=24 October 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125170001/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2410151139-2015-eirgrid-international-rules-irish-captain-announcement/|archivedate=25 November 2015}} Mayo footballer and two-time All Star Lee Keegan was named vice-captain.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MayoGAA/status/659389904418402304|title=Twitter: Mayo GAA tweet regarding Lee Keegan's appointment of vice-captain of the Ireland international rules team for the 2015 series|work=Mayo GAA Twitter|date=28 October 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326091636/https://mobile.twitter.com/MayoGAA/status/659389904418402304|archivedate=26 March 2017}}

Ireland manager Joe Kernan announced the 23-man Irish squad on 11 November 2015. Footballer of the Year Jack McCaffrey was among nine All Stars selected in the panel. In total 12 counties from all four provinces were represented in the squad, with 2015 All-Ireland champions Dublin leading the list with five players selected.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1111150937-ireland-international-rules-squad-announced/|title=Ireland International Rules squad announced|work=GAA.ie|date=11 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114015418/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1111150937-ireland-international-rules-squad-announced/|archivedate=14 November 2015}}

=Australian team=

Australia retained their selection policy of selecting only players who had received All-Australian honours in their careers.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-17/aussies-to-tour-ireland|title=All Australian only side to tour Ireland in November|work=AFL.com.au|date=17 March 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123214/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-17/aussies-to-tour-ireland|archivedate=2 April 2015}} The team also retained the services of last year's successful management team, featuring four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson and assistants Ross Lyon and Chris Scott.{{cite web|url=http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2015-03-17/date-announced-for-2015-international-rules|title=Date announced for 2015 international rules test|work=Fremantlefc.com.au|date=17 March 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328050612/http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2015-03-17/date-announced-for-2015-international-rules|archivedate=28 March 2015}} {{Rquote|right|It's going to be tough. I'm sure [Ireland] will be smarting a little bit after lowering their colours to us last year. They will have looked at the quality of our players and the way that we played and trying everything they can to win this game and get the trophy back in Ireland|Alastair Clarkson, Australian coach{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-16/clarkson-expecting-tough-clash-against-the-irish|title=Clarkson expecting tough clash against the Irish|work=AFL.com.au|date=16 October 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017124506/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-16/clarkson-expecting-tough-clash-against-the-irish|archivedate=17 October 2015}}}} The Australian team held a training camp at a New York college in the week preceding the test match, in a bid to offer further incentive to players considering accepting an offer to play in the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-international-rules-stars-to-attend-new-york-training-camp-20150901-gjcmm3.html|title=AFL international rules stars to attend New York training camp|work=The Age|date=1 September 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326100047/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-international-rules-stars-to-attend-new-york-training-camp-20150901-gjcmm3.html|archivedate=26 March 2017}} Retired 400 game player and perennial Australian goalkeeper Dustin Fletcher underwent a fitness test in September 2015 with the view to concluding his football career by playing in his fifth International Rules Series.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-29/fletcher-set-for-irish-farewell-tour-after-fitness-test|title=Dustin Fletcher set for Irish farewell tour after fitness test|work=AFL.com.au|date=29 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930165516/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-29/fletcher-set-for-irish-farewell-tour-after-fitness-test|archivedate=30 September 2015}}

The Australian squad was announced on 16 October 2015. Among the squad was multiple All-Australian and recent Geelong pick-up Patrick Dangerfield, last year's Jim Stynes Medallist Luke Hodge and Hawthorn premiership players Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead. Of the 22-man squad, only four players – Roughead, Andrew Gaff, Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer – had not represented Australia in International rules football before. Fourteen of the players who represented Australia in the 2014 test match returned for the 2015 version.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-16/2015s-international-rules-squad-revealed|title=Star-studded International Rules squad revealed|work=AFL.com.au|date=16 October 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017115019/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-16/2015s-international-rules-squad-revealed|archivedate=17 October 2015}} On 2 November 2015, Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard, originally selected in the 22-man team, was withdrawn on account of a persistent knee injury. His place in the side was taken by Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/chad-wingard-pulls-out-of-international-rules-tour-with-knee-injury-20151102-gkonob.html|title=Chad Wingard pulls out of international rules tour with knee injury|work=The Age|date=2 November 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105073630/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/chad-wingard-pulls-out-of-international-rules-tour-with-knee-injury-20151102-gkonob.html|archivedate=5 November 2015}}

The Australian management team announced the formation of a 5-man leadership group on 12 November 2015 at the commencement of their week-long training camp in New York City. Harry Taylor, Nick Riewoldt, Robert Murphy, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell were named as squad leaders{{cite web|url=http://afl.com.au/news/2015-11-12/five-australian-leaders-for-irish-clash|title=Five Australian leaders selected for Irish clash|work=AFL.com.au|date=12 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114010739/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-12/five-australian-leaders-for-irish-clash|archivedate=14 November 2015}} with Hawthorn's Luke Hodge selected as captain of the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-14/hodge-named-irs-skipper-for-upcoming-test-in-ireland|title=Hodge named IRS skipper for upcoming test in Ireland|work=AFL.com.au|date=14 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030303/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-14/hodge-named-irs-skipper-for-upcoming-test-in-ireland|archivedate=17 November 2015}} A warm-up match against New York GAA scheduled to be played on 14 November 2015 was cancelled, with the team instead playing an internal scratch match at the training base of NFL franchise the New York Jets.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-15/afl-calls-off-new-york-practice-match|title=NFL to the rescue after practice drama|work=AFL.com.au|date=15 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116152741/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-15/afl-calls-off-new-york-practice-match|archivedate=16 November 2015}}

Squads

Coach: Joe Kernan (Armagh)

colspan="3" \| 30px Ireland
align="center" class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
Name ! Team ! Club
\| Bernard Brogan (c)	Dublin	St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh
\| Lee Keegan (vc)	Mayo	Westport
\| Niall Morgan (gk)	Tyrone	Edendork
\| Colm Begley	Laois	Stradbally
\| Gary Brennan	Clare	Clondegad
\| Eoin Cadogan	Cork	Douglas
\| Mattie Donnelly	Tyrone	Trillick
\| Eoin Doyle	Kildare	Naas
\| Peter Harte	Tyrone	Errigal Ciaran
\| Darren Hughes	Monaghan	Scotstown
\| Paul Kerrigan	Cork	Nemo Rangers
\| Jack McCaffrey	Dublin	Clontarf
\| Ciarán McDonald	Tipperary	Aherlow
\| Philly McMahon	Dublin	Ballymun Kickhams
\| Conor McManus	Monaghan	Clontibret
\| Rory O'Carroll	Dublin	Kilmacud Crokes
\| John O'Loughlin	Laois	St Brigid's
\| Aidan O'Shea	Mayo	Breaffy
\| Michael Quinn	Longford	Killoe Young Emmets
\| Donnchadh Walsh	Kerry	Cromane
\| Diarmuid Connolly	Dublin	St Vincents
\| Paul Cribbin	Kildare	Johnstownbridge
\| Paddy McBrearty	Donegal	Kilcar

Coach: Alastair Clarkson ({{AFL Haw}})

colspan="2" \| 30px Australia
align="center" class="wikitable" style="width:60%;"
Name ! Team
\| Luke Hodge (c)	{{AFL Haw}}
\| Dustin Fletcher (gk)	{{AFL Ess}}
\| Hayden Ballantyne	{{AFL Fre}}
\| Eddie Betts	{{AFL Ade}}
\| Grant Birchall	{{AFL Haw}}
\| Luke Breust	{{AFL Haw}}
\| Patrick Dangerfield	{{AFL Gee}}
\| Andrew Gaff	{{AFL\|WC}}
\| Brendon Goddard	{{AFL Ess}}
\| Robbie Gray	{{AFL PA}}
\| Dyson Heppell	{{AFL Ess}}
\| Sam Mitchell	{{AFL Haw}}
\| Leigh Montagna	{{AFL StK}}
\| David Mundy	{{AFL Fre}}
\| Robert Murphy	{{AFL WB}}
\| Nick Riewoldt	{{AFL StK}}
\| Tom Rockliff	{{AFL BL}}
\| Jarryd Roughead	{{AFL Haw}}
\| Nick Smith	{{AFL Syd}}
\| Jake Stringer	{{AFL WB}}
\| Harry Taylor	{{AFL Gee}}
\| Easton Wood	{{AFL WB}}

Result

{{AFLInternationalRules

|title = 2015 International Rules Test

|date = Saturday 21 November (7.00pm IST / 6.00am AEDT)

|home team = Ireland

|home Q1 = 1.5.0 (21)

|home Q2 = 3.8.1 (43)

|home Q3 = 3.10.2 (50)

|home final = 3.11.5 (56)

|home goals = O'Shea 2, McManus

|home overs = Brogan 4
McManus 3
Connolly, O'Shea, Kerrigan, Hughes 1

|home best = O'Shea, Brogan, McManus, Keegan

|home injuries =

|home reports =

|home substitute=

|winner = H

|away team = Australia

|away Q1 = 0.4.1 (13)

|away Q2 = 0.6.5 (23)

|away Q3 = 0.11.6 (39)

|away final = 1.13.7 (52)

|away goals = Betts

|away overs = Gray 3
Betts 2, Riewoldt 2
Roughead, Ballantyne, Montagna, Mundy, Breust, Heppell 1

|away best = Taylor, Mitchell, Breust, Heppell, Betts, Riewoldt

|away injuries =

|away reports =

|away substitute=

|venue = Croke Park, Dublin

|crowd = 38,386

|report = {{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2111152111-ireland-hold-off-australian-comeback-in-thriller/|title=Ireland hold off Australian comeback in thriller|work=GAA.ie|date=21 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124022514/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2111152111-ireland-hold-off-australian-comeback-in-thriller/|archivedate=24 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-22/irish-all-smiles-after-scraping-home-against-aussies-in-irs-test|title=Irish all smiles after scraping home against Aussies|work=AFL.com.au|date=22 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124051446/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-22/irish-all-smiles-after-scraping-home-against-aussies-in-irs-test|archivedate=24 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/1121/748346-ireland-hold-on-for-rules-win-over-australia/|title=Ireland hold on for Rules win over Australia|work=RTÉ|date=21 November 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326092636/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/1121/748346-ireland-hold-on-for-rules-win-over-australia/|archivedate=26 March 2017}}
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_o8Lcvzzok Video]

|umpires = Joe McQuillan (Ireland) &
Mathew Nicholls (Australia)

|BOG award =

|BOG winner =

|broadcast = RTÉ2 (Ireland){{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0908/726508-rte/|title=RTÉ to broadcast International Rules match|work=RTÉ|date=10 September 2015|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170326092911/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0908/726508-rte/|archivedate=26 March 2017}}
7mate (Australia){{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-20/international-rules-test-live-on-tv-and-app|title=International Rules test live on TV and app|work=AFL.com.au|date=20 November 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121204812/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-20/international-rules-test-live-on-tv-and-app|archivedate=21 November 2015}}

|anthem =

|notes =

GAA Medal (Ireland): Bernard Brogan Jnr
Jim Stynes Medal (Australia): Harry Taylor
A pre-match ceremony observed the 95th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, which had included a gun battle at the stadium.
[https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pupo3sMkgkg RTÉ Broadcast of the Test Match (YouTube)]

}}