DONEGAL’S Michael Murphy has captained the Ireland International Rules team to a comprehensive win over a VFL selection in Sandringham, Melbourne today.
The Donegal captain also scored two goals – and a had a total of 19 points – as Ireland won easily by 100-27.
Cork’s Colm O’Neill helped himself to four goals as he top scored with 30 points.
Sean Cavanagh, Pearse Hanley and Aidan O’Shea also scored goals today.
All 23 players available featured in the game while the squad will be completed by the arrival of Monaghan’s Conor McManus and Chrissy McKaigue in Australia after they line out against each other for Clontibret and Slaughtneil respectively in this afternoon’s Ulster club semi-final.
The squad moves on to Perth on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s clash with the AFL’s finest at the Patersons Stadium.
IRELAND: N Morgan (Tyrone); C McDonald (Tipperary), N McGee (Donegal), C Boyle (Mayo, 0-1-0 [3]); L Keegan (Mayo), J McCarthy (Dublin), K McKernan (Down); A Walsh (Cork), S Cavanagh (Tyrone, 1-1-0 [9]); C Cregg (Roscommon, 0-3-1 [10]), C Begley (Laois), P Hanley (Mayo, Brisbane Lions, 1-0-0 [6]); C O’Neill (Cork, 4-1-3 [30]), M Murphy (Donegal, 2-1-4 [19]), R Munnelly (Laois, 0-1-2 [5]).
Interchange: M Donnelly (Tyrone), F Hanley (Galway), D Hughes (Monaghan, 0-0-1 [1]), K McLoughlin (Mayo), D Moran (Kerry, 0-0-1 [1]), P O’Neill (Kildare), P O’Rourke (Meath), A O’Shea (Mayo, 1-3-1 [16]).
VFL SELECTION (from): S Sherlock, B Cavarra, A Saad, T O’Sullivan (0-0-1 [1]), C Lockwood, N Rippon (0-0-1 [1]), T Paule, B Smithwick, T Gribble, A Marcon, B Mahon, L Tynan, J Bolton (0-1-0 [3]), J Geary, B Jolley, A Cockie (1-1-0 [9]), M Cook, N Newman, S Clouston (0-1-1 [4]), L Featherstone (0-1-1 [4]), J Magner, B Davies (0-0-1 [1]), J Owen (0-0-1 [1]), T Pinwill (0-1-0 [3]), E Panozza.
