Big Joe all set to complete four-timer

Big Joe faces a massive challenge to preside over an Ireland win this year

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November 10 2015 11:08 PM

Today will bring a proud moment for Joe Kernan, when he names the Irish squad to play Australia in the one-off International Rules Test in Croke Park on Saturday week.

His role as national team manager takes him into unique territory, giving him a chance to be the only man to have managed his club (Crossmaglen Rangers), county (Armagh), province (Ulster) and country to big-time success.

He led Crossmaglen and Armagh to All-Ireland titles and Ulster to interprovincial success and now the challenge is to complete the four-timer with Ireland.

He never played International Rules but his son Aaron was on Ireland's 2008 international squad, completing the set for a remarkable GAA family.

Big Joe faces a massive challenge to preside over an Ireland win this year. Australia, who won in Perth last November are 1/4 favourites, with Ireland at 5/2.

Unlike two years ago when Australia sent a dismally weak squad to Ireland (losing by over 100 points on the two-game aggregate), they have lined up most of the big guns this time, just as they did at home last year when they won by ten points.