Sean Cavanagh is poised to lead Ireland into the International Rules series against Australia fortified by what he describes as “a hugely enlightening build-up” involving fitness and conditioning coach Mike McGurn in particular.

The former Ireland rugby guru, now with the Ospreys, was brought in by Ireland manager Sean Boylan to add an extra dimension to the squad’s overall stamina and powers of endurance. And Cavanagh believes that it proved an inspired decision.

“I think we have all learned a great deal from Mike and this will certainly stand to us when we face the Aussies,” enthuses the Moy Tir na Nog man.

It’s in the area of tackling in particular that Cavanagh feels McGurn has provided a new focus for the Ireland players.

“I have been playing county football for over six years now and obviously you feel you have picked up quite of lot of information in this period of time.

“But Mike has given me a completely different perspective on tackling in general and tackling in particular in relation to International Rules football.

“He has emphasised the way in which tackles should be made, the speed at which they should be made and how they should be completed.

“And, on the other hand, he has shown us how to avoid tackles and to ride tackles from the Aussies. I feel that the information and detail he has imparted will prove invaluable in terms of us helping to keep the ball alive and maintaining the pace of the games,” insists Cavanagh.

The Tyrone ace has acquired considerable experience of Rules football and admits that in the past Ireland players might have over-reacted when tackled hard while playing against Australia.

“I think when this happened, players maybe tended to lose their concentration and it did not help matters. But Mike has shown us the importance of maintaining our discipline and has encouraged us to get up and get on with it rather than engaging in recriminations,” points out Cavanagh.

“In previous matches, over-reaction would have put players off their game and led to indiscipline creeping in. But now, thanks to Mike’s efforts, we are much better prepared, I feel, to deal with situations as they arise during the course of a game.

“This could boost our chances of winning the series.”

Cavanagh, man of the match in last month’s All Ireland final against Kerry and a strong contender for the coveted Footballer of the Year accolade, concedes that he is already having nightmares about the possibility of losing the series.

“As captain, this thought does cross your mind but I don’t want it to weigh too heavily on my mind right now.

“For me it is a tremendous honour to be captaining Ireland and I am thoroughly looking forward to the experience.

“I am very fortunate indeed in that there are a lot of very experienced players in the squad and I think we will have plenty of leaders out there on the field of play,” maintains Cavanagh.

Ireland’s below-par performances in 2005 and 2006 have provided Cavanagh with what he feels is “the perfect incentive” to spearhead an Irish triumph this time round.

“I know that this is being viewed as a make or break series because of what has happened in the past. That is why it so important that we play well and can come out on top. It would be a great boost for the squad as a whole if we were to win outright,” asserts Cavanagh.