McNamee gets call up to Ireland squad for Tests with Aussies

Offaly football star Niall McNamee has been called up to the Ireland International Rules squad ahead of tomorrow (Saturday) night’s first test in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (7pm). McNamee - who captained Rhode to their recent Offaly senior football final victory over Clara - replaces injured Down ace Benny Coulter in the Ireland squad. The Ireland call-up continues a successful recent spell for McNamee, who was named man-of-the-match in the county final after his two goals proved vital in Rhode’s narrow win over Clara. McNamee is following in the footsteps of the likes of Ciaran McManus (Tubber) and Finbar Cullen (Edenderry), in representing Offaly on the Ireland International Rules squad. With McNamee replacing the injured Benny Coulter, Kildare’s Emmet Bolton has been called up to replace Cork’s Michael Shields, who is unavailable for the first Test due to club commitments. “I am delighted to welcome Niall and Emmet to the squad and we are all really looking forward to our first game in Limerick on Saturday night,” said Ireland manager Anthony Tohill. Rhode are due to face the Carlow champions in the Leinster Club SFC on November 7. Rathvilly and Old Leighlin drew their Carlow county final last weekend. With fancied teams like Kilmacud Crokes and reigning Leinster champions Portlaoise on the other side of the draw, Rhode will fancy their chances of at least reaching this year’s provincial final. While the Rhode club will be delighted to see McNamee honoured with an Ireland call-up, team manager Tom Coffey will be anxiously hoping that his star forward avoids injury if he sees action against the Aussies. Ireland International Rules Squad Steven McDonnell (Armagh, captain), Finian Hanley (Galway, vice-captain), Colm Begley (Laois), Bernard Brogan (Dublin), Graham Canty (Cork), Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Martin Clarke (Down), Stephen Cluxton (Dublin), Brendan Donaghy (Armagh), Leighton Glynn (Wicklow), Daniel Goulding (Cork), James Kavanagh (Kildare), Paddy Keenan (Louth), Tadhg Kennelly (Kerry), Seán McDermott (Roscommon), Ciarán McKeever (Armagh), Kevin McKernan (Down), Brendan Murphy (Carlow), Micheal Murphy (Donegal), Kevin Reilly (Meath), Tommy Walsh (Kerry), Emmet Bolton (Kildare), Niall McNamee (Offaly).