Ireland manager John Tobin has given 30 players from 18 counties the chance to realise what he called "the ultimate dream" of representing their country in the Under-17 International Rules series in Australia next month.
Yesterday, in the GAA Museum in Croke Park, the final squad to tour Australia was announced with Meath's Trevor Giles, one of two physiotherapists on the trip, describing them as "the cream of our young footballing talent".
Cork, with five players, has the biggest representation of any county and, in Eamonn Collins, also supply the team captain. John Tierney, one of three Cavan teenagers in the travelling party, assumes the role of vice-captain.
"We endured a long search in our efforts to pick the best young players in the country and I believe we have done a fine job. It is the ultimate dream to play for your country, and this is the only outlet many of these players will have," said Tobin.
The touring party arrives in Melbourne on March 30th and, after a period of acclimatisation, the first Test will be played the following Sunday, April 4th, as the curtain-raiser to the AFL match between St Kilda and Melbourne at Waverley Park. The Ireland-Australia match will be screened live on Australian Channel 7 television.
The second Test will take place at Dakin reserve in Shepparton on Wednesday, April 7th, while the final test is scheduled for Sunday, April 11th. The Peter McDermott Cup for the series winners and the Ron Barassi medal for the player of the series will be presented at half-time at an AFL match.
