The series commenced in 2002 when a Dublin selection played the Australian visitors followed the following year by a visit to Australia by a group from Dublin. In 2004 the Australians visited Ireland and played two tests with Ireland winning both games. Ireland visited Australia in April 2006 and retained the trophy, with the Australians visiting us in October 2008 but being unable to wrest the trophy, which had been renamed after one of the stalwarts of the Masters game Paddy Gaffney, from our possession. The Australians had their first victory in the series in October 2008 when Ireland visited Australia but returned minus the trophy - a situation which we hope to rectify over the next couple of weeks.
The Australians first game here is on Friday 23rd October when they play an Irish Selection in a non test match at Kingspan Breifni Park, Cavan (7.30pm start).
The first in the two test series will take place at the splendid Clann na Gael at Johnstown outside Athlone on Sunday 25th October. A “B” game commences proceedings at 2.30pm followed by the "A" game at 4.30pm. The Clann na Gael club have put together a great programme to ensure that this will be a memorable occasion.
The second test will be held at St. Anne’s in Bohernabreena on Saturday 31st October. The home club of Dublin’s Joe and Alan McNally are planning a spectacular Halloween welcome for the Wombats. Proceedings get under way with a "B" game at 1.00pm followed by the "A" test at 3.00pm.
The Full Irish Panel for both the A and B games is as follows;
ANTRIM
- Michael Johnson - Played Senior for Antrim, Won Ulster U21 Medal, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Gerry Mc Carron - Played Senior, U21 and Minor for Antrim, Ulster Senior Club Medal, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
Tim Connolly - Played Senior for Antrim for 7 Seasons, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008 - John Mc Neill - Currently Manager of Antrim U21 Team, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- James Brazier - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Stephen Graham - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Jim Mc Guinness
- Gerry Mc Cullough
- Jim Close
MAYO
- Ger Carmody - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Jim Henry - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2009
- Ciaran Gallagher
DUBLIN
- Joe Mc Nally - All Ireland Winner in 1983, All Ireland Minor Winner in 1982, Leinster U21 Winner in 1984, All Star winner in 1983, Member of Ireland Masters Panel V Australia 2004 / 2006 / 2008
- Garry Kilmartin - Won 2 Leinster Club Championships with Tomas Davis, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- John Nolan - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Alan Mc Nally - Played Minor & Senior for Dublin, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- John Campbell - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Willy Davey
- Denis O Leary - Member of Ireland Masters Panel V Australia 2006
- Peter Joyce
- Paul Curran - Played Senior for Dublin, Current Sunday Game Analyst
- Sean Keenan
WICKLOW
- Raymond Danne - Won All Ireland Club title with Baltinglass, Played Railway Cup with Leinster, Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Kevin O Brien - First and Only Wicklow All Star Winner, Current Selector on Wicklow Senior Team, Won All Ireland Club title with Baltinglass, Played Railway Cup with Leinster, Recipient of GAA Presidents Award
CAVAN
- Dessie Cahill - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Gabriel Patterson - Member of Ireland Masters Panel V Australia 2006
- John Emmo
- Francis Clarke
- Paul Campbell
- Michael Brady - Member of Ireland Panels in 2006
- Seamus Donohoe - Won Ulster U21 Medal in 1986, Played Senior for Cavan for 10 Seasons
LONGFORD
- John Gerard Corcoran - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- John Hyland - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Kevin Hourican - Member of Ireland Masters Panel V Australia 2006
- Jimmy O Neill
- Brian Mc Niven
SLIGO
- John Wallace - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
DOWN
- Dominic Kearns - Member of Ireland Masters Panel in Australia 2008
- Daman Murdock
- John Donnelly
- Mark Domican
- Peter Whitnell - All Ireland Senior Winner in 1991
GALWAY
- Eamon Walsh
- Ger Lee
- Tom Greaney
- Vinny Larkin
- Brian Silke
- Harry Walshe
