TO BE sure, there hasn't been much luck in Dominic Joyce's big international football journey.

Now living in his adopted hometown of Wagga, Joyce will strap on his boots for Ireland in the AFL International Cup.

Eighteen mens teams and seven women's teams will compete in the tournament, which starts on Sunday.

Joyce got a taste for Australian rules at an Australia Day function and has played two seasons with the Cork-based Leeside Lions before moving to Wagga earlier this year.

With his Australian partner gaining a job at CSU, Joyce linked with Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka and has been a regular in their reserve grade team.

Primarily playing in the ruck or at centre-half-forward for Leeside, he's been used in various positions by CAK reserve grade coach Dane Fuller this season.

"He's a big fella, he's played full-back, centre-half-back and in the ruck," Fuller said

"He's been really good, willing to learn.

"He loves his footy and has picked up the game really quickly.

"He's strong in the air, and he's been a good addition to our club both on and off the field."

Although there are a lot of differences in the style and quality of the game in Australia, Joyce has been enjoying his football more in Wagga.

"It's a big difference to play on a much bigger pitch, with more players," Joyce said.

"The game is of a higher standard over here, where we tend to get a lot of ex-rugby players and ex-Gaelic football players.

"I've noticed there's more speed, more precision with kicking and handballing and a higher level of skill, which is to be expected."

Held every four years, Ireland won the inaugural International Cup in 2002 and are the defending championship after winning the 2011 edition.

The 33-year-old was part of Ireland's team that claimed the European champions, defeating Great Britain in a thriller with seconds to go.

"We are one of the favourites to retain it, but there are only three players that were members of the team that won are still playing, so its a whole new team," Joyce said.

Playing Papua New Guinea, France and Nauru in the pool stage, if Ireland qualify for the final, the game will be held at the MCG as the curtain raiser to the Hawthorn-Geelong game on August 23.

Per the rules of the competition, teams must be comprised of nationals of the country they represent, with expatriate Australians ineligible.

All players must also have lived the majority of the years aged between 10 and 16 as a citizen of their nation.

Joyce earnt his place in the Irish team during team try-outs in Ireland in March, before moving to Australia the following month.