Lee Keegan rules himself out of Australia tour

JOE Kernan has revealed that Mayo star Lee Keegan will not be travelling to Australia for November's International Rules series.

The Ireland manager said Keegan, who was vice-captain in the Ireland's one-Test series win in 2015, had a niggling injury following Mayo's long championship season and would be a "big miss".

Former All-Ireland-winning Armagh boss Kernan also announced that three Irish AFL players would be part of his squad: Tyrone's Conor McKenna (Essendon), Mayo man Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast) and Laois native Zach Tuohy (Geelong).

Kernan left the door open for potential addditions to that list but said the trio had been the standout Irish performers in this year's Aussie Rules season.

Ireland will take on Australia in the first two-test series since 2013.

The opening game takes place in Adelaide on November 12 with the deciding leg in Perth on November 18.