Ireland coach, Mark Aston, has confirmed that Liam Finn will captain the Wolfhounds for the upcoming 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Finn, who was named Player of the Year in the English Championship recently after a sensational season for Featherstone Rover, first debuted for the national side in 2007, and has since amassed 15 caps for the Emerald Isle, including participating in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
"I'm delighted, this is a massive honour, and I can't wait to get going - obviously we are 12 months away but it gives us time to think about it and plan, and plenty of time to keep getting more excited and to prepare as well as we can" Liam said on the appointment
Mark Aston also confirmed that Warrington Wolves' Tyrone McCarthy would be the vice-captain for the World Cup - completing a great season for the loose forward, who picked up a much-coveted Challenge Cup winners medal with his club team just a few weeks ago.
Following the appointments, the coach said: "Since I got involved with the team just over 12 months ago Liam has been outstanding as a bloke and as a leader, and I am highly delighted that he has accepted the role and will be taking us into the World Cup. He's a very committed, outstanding individual and outstanding player.
"He is supported by another young man that is making his way in the game with Warrington Wolves, Tyrone McCarthy, who again epitomises what we want Ireland to look like and what we want them to be - 100% committed, 100% passionate about making Ireland a very successful rugby league country."
Tyrone McCarthy said: "This is a massive and proud moment for me. It's a great pleasure to even be picked for Ireland, and to be asked to be one of the leaders in the team is a big occasion for me."
The 24-year-old, who won the Challenge Cup with Warrington Wolves this season, also said he was pleased with what has been an almost breakthrough season with the Super League Grand Finalists, saying: "It's probably a bit more special to get a Challenge Cup medal this year because I've been more involved, I played about 20-odd games, and hopefully that will leave me with more experience leading into next year."
Ireland has been grouped with Australia, England and Fiji at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Ireland’s Rugby League World Cup Fixtures:
October 28: Ireland v Fiji
Spotland Stadium, Rochdale (England)
November 2: England v Ireland
John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield (England)
November 9: Ireland v Australia
Thomond Park, Limerick (Ireland)
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