Bernard Brogan will captain the EirGrid Ireland International Rules team in the upcoming series against Australia in Croke Park.
Team manager, Joe Kernan, has named the 2015 All-Ireland winner to lead his team out on Saturday, November 21.
Brogan said: "It is both an honour and a privilege to not only represent Ireland, but to captain the national team too. As Gaelic 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.
“Not only do they include the best of the AFL in terms of talent but they have experience of this code in their ranks, not least with their management team whose exploits both in their domestic game and indeed in this code, are proven. It’s a challenge we will relish and I look forward to working with Joe and his selectors and all of the lads on the panel to do our best to keep the Cormac McAnallen Cup in Ireland.”
Massive honour for me to Captain my country, I hope I do the Green jersey proud against the Ozzies on 21st of Nov! pic.twitter.com/oKcd5FtoUm
— Bernard Brogan (@bernardbrogan) October 24, 2015
Kernan spoke to after the appointment and said that Brogan was the obvious choice: “He has been a top footballer in our game for many years - something borne out by the many accolades he has earned - and he has also shown his prowess in this game. In addition to helping to generate a vital team spirit amongst our players, he will also lead by example where it matters most - on the field of play.”
“I wish Bernard well in what is a coveted role. He is following in the footsteps of many great footballers in accepting the role and it is something he is sure to embrace."
Brogan replaces Michael Murphy spearheaded the Irish challenge in last year's defeat to Australia in Perth and in the home series win in 2013.
Via The Irish Independent.
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