The GAA have confirmed that former All-Ireland winning Armagh manager Joe Kernan is the new Irish international Rules manager.
The Crossmaglen native has been joined by Pádraic Joyce, Darragh Ó Sé and Dermot Earley as selectors in a vastly experienced backroom team. The three have between them played in 13 series with Joyce twice captaining the team.
Ireland look to reclaim the Cormac McAnallen Cup narrowly lost in Perth last year when the AFL selection travel to Croke Park in November.
The former All Star will also be at the helm for the subsequent series in Australia for the second leg of his new role.
Kernan pointed to the experience of his management team as he looks forward to the “honour” of managing his country.
“I’m delighted to accept this role and I view it as a real privilege,” said the 2002 All-Ireland winning manager.
“ I have been involved with the GAA all my life and there are not too many opportunities to represent Ireland as an active GAA member. This is one – and one I look forward to immensely.
“It will be an honour to work with the top players from our game planning to face the best the AFL has to offer and I also look forward to working alongside Pádraic, Darragh and Dermot all of whom have vast experience of this code.”
Newly appointed Aogán Ó Fearghail, an Ulster native himself, congratulated the three-time All-Ireland winning club manager;
“His record at club, county and provincial level with Crossmaglen, Armagh and Ulster is hugely impressive and I have no doubt he will bring the same level of passion and energy to this latest assignment that he did to previous roles.”
While GAA Director General Páraic Duffy added: "Joe and his family are synonymous with the GAA, and Gaelic football in particular, and this accolade is richly deserved. We wish him, Pádraic, Darragh and Dermot well and I know they will all relish the challenge."
