Ireland’s International Rules manager Brian McEniff has suffered a double blow ahead of Friday's second Test, losing midfielder Niall Buckley with a double hamstring tear after assistant coach Paddy Clarke was earlier suspended for pushing the umpire in the opening clash.
A five-match ban was imposed on Clarke after an investigation panel in Australia found him guilty of shoving umpire Brett Allen after his decision to award a late free to the Australians. Newspapers in Australia had alleged that it was McEniff who had pushed the referee, a claim denied by the Ireland boss.
McEniff will also have to prepare for the second International test in Adelaide on Friday without Dermot McCabe, who is considered very doubtful. There is growing optimism that Ciarán Whelan, who was expected to miss out with a hamstring injury, will figure at some point in Friday's second Test.
Filed by Tom Grealis
