THE stage has been set for a fiery Compromise Rules clash between Ireland and Australia in Perth on Wednesday night after a top Aussie official called Sean Boylan a leprechaun.

Former Aussie manager Kevin Sheedy, in charge when the visitors went away over the top in a violent last series in Ireland two years ago, made the remark in an Australian newspaper on Sunday.

Writing about an infamous press conference after the final Croke Park brawl two years ago, Sheedy claimed that the home team over-reacted to his side's robust approach which he felt was justified.

Sheedy added, "Irish coach Sean Boylan didn't see it that way and he ranted and raved for an hour after the match in Dublin.

"I almost fell asleep waiting for my turn and it was the first time I thought I had met a leprechaun. But at least there was passion and I'm thrilled the matches are back."

Australian vice captain Adam Selwood said, "We've gone through the rules and understand now what's acceptable and what's not compared to the last series," Selwood revealed.

"Obviously it did get out of hand a little bit for about 10 minutes there, but I think the guys know where it stands. If something like that happens again, the series is off pretty much forever.

"So we're not here to fight the Irish or anything like that, we've got the utmost respect for them and I'm just hopeful it's going to be a good game and a fair game."

Sheedy is no longer involved with the Australian team for the series which was abandoned last year after the 2006 violence. He added, "There is one thing I would like to pass on to the Irish ahead of the revived International Rules series. You can punch an Australian and we won't be totally insulted. But if you kick us, you are going the wrong way about it.

"After the last series was marred by controversial acts it would be disappointing if the Irish sought retribution.

"They should bump and tackle, but don't stick a leg out. If it's played in the right spirit, this will be a fantastic spectacle."

The Irish players are ready for whatever awaits them in Perth on Friday after arriving to sweltering heat in the Australian city.

"What went on two years ago is certainly in the back of players' minds," Armagh's Steven McDonnell told the Irish Mail on Sunday.

"It was disgraceful and we'll be going out to prove we're capable of winning. We aren't going to lie down, regardless of what tactics they take into the game.

"We're going out to beat them at playing football first and foremost but if they want to use their bullyboy tactics of two years ago then we'll act accordingly. Obviously, we're not as strong as them but we'll hit into them if we have to.

"They didn't want to play any kind of football the last time. I was being pulled and hauled for three quarters of the game and it does get frustrating when the man you're marking doesn't want to play any kind of football.

"What can you do? At the end of the day, I wasn't going to let him push me around, and if I wasn't going to be allowed to play football then neither was he.

"I can't see the Australians lying down; I still think they're going to be physical but maybe they'll take more of the thuggery out of it."

Dublin's Bryan Cullen is confident that the ugly scenes in 2006 which led to the postponement of the series last year will not be repeated despite the noises coming from Australia.

"I was involved in 2005 Down Under and to be honest, it didn't end much better than 2006," said Cullen.

"It was particularly disappointing. I remember watching that game and I mean people were coming to see a sporting spectacle. I suppose what carried on in the last couple of Series is not what you want to see.

"We have a responsibility to young people in Ireland, when we are representing our clubs, our counties, to conduct ourselves -- I know we are amateurs -- but in a professional manner.

"And the Aussies are the same. They have a huge following. Young children idolize these guys so the carry on that went on the last couple of Series had to stop really.

"I know the GAA have done a lot more work on tightening things up so I would expect a lot more football to be played this time around.

"GAA players won't want to miss National League games and likewise, Aussie Rules players, if they miss AFL games, they will be hit in the pocket. I think we will see far more respect for the rules this year, I would imagine."

Monaghan's Paul Finlay and Fermanagh's Marty McGrath have traveled with the Irish squad as late replacements for Tommy Walsh and Bernard Brogan.

O'Shea Quits Kerry

PAT O'Shea's shock decision to quit as manager of the Kerry football team has been greeted with disbelief by observers inside and outside the county.

O'Shea has cited personal reasons and family commitments for his resignation after just two years in charge of the team which won the 2007 All-Ireland and lost the 2008 final to Tyrone.

Kerry legend Paidi O Se summed up the mood of surprise within the Kingdom but also had a go at O'Shea's detractors when he told the Sunday Independent, "I was very surprised when the news broke last week that Pat O'Shea was stepping down as Kerry manager.

"He had been at the wrong end of a world of criticism in Kerry after the defeat to Tyrone and while it's true there were a couple of mistakes on the day, overall Pat had been doing a good job with this team.

"It never ceases to amaze me just how much managers get the blame for everything that goes wrong with a team. You never hear the sort of criticism of players that you do of men in the line and, as Brian Clough famously said, players lose you matches, not tactics."

Tyrone's Mickey Harte, who masterminded the All-Ireland final win over Kerry, also lamented O'Shea's decision.

"It's regrettable to see a man of his stature and what he has achieved over the last two years deciding this is the right time to step down," said Harte.

"I suppose that's par for the course now. He had the hottest job in the country I suppose. I'm sure he was well aware of that and the expectations were very high.

"I think it's a bit unfair that you can hire and fire people just because they don't win the championship because there is just one team winning each year. Does that mean everyone else is a failure? I don't think so."

Current under-21 boss Sean Geaney and last but one Kerry manager Jack O'Connor are the favorites to replace O'Shea in the hotseat.

Kerry greats Eoin Liston and Ger O'Keefe have both ruled themselves out of the running.

GAA Shorts

THE Westmeath hurlers want to take a leaf out of Galway and Antrim's books and switch allegiances in next summer's provincial championships from Leinster to Ulster . . .

NICKY English has turned down the opportunity to work with the Dublin hurlers next season with Ger Loughnane, now one of the front-runners to replace Tommy Naughton . . .

CONNACHT have appointed John O'Mahony and Vincent Mullins as football and hurling managers respectively for the forthcoming interprovincial series of games . . .

DONEGAL'S All-Ireland winning captain Charlie Mulgrew and Declan Bonner have been offered the chance to revive the county's fortunes as joint team managers . . .

FORMER Waterford selector Kevin Ryan is the favorite to succeed John Meyler as manager of the Wexford hurlers . . .

SCOTLAND made it four wins in a row against Ireland in the annual hurling-shinty international in Kilkenny . . .

GERARD McCarthy is to stay on for another year in charge of the Cork hurlers.

Rugby Shorts

LEINSTER and Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy is out until the New Year after another operation on the arm he broke against Italy last February . . .

FORMER Irish number two Niall O'Donovan has been appointed assistant coach to the Ireland A team.