Martin Clarke returns to Ireland

Xavi6

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/newsfeatures/news/newsarticle/tabid/5586/newsid/85269/default.aspx

Marty says goodbye

After three wonderful years in Australia with Collingwood, I have decided to return to Ireland. From the very first day Derek Hine (National Recruiting Manager) came to my house on the north east coast of Ireland, in his black and white Magpie jacket, I knew that Collingwood was a special organisation.

After a four week trial at the Lexus Centre in July 2006, I decided to come and try and be part of the club’s huge tradition. The high-tech facilities, daily training, the chance to be professional, and the club’s home ground all represented utter quality. But the deciding factor in my decision to leave friends, family, the Gaelic Athletic Association and life in Ireland behind was the quality of the people who made up the heart of the club.

Everyone from Eddie McGuire, Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley to the youngest one-eyed supporter on the street treated me with a lot of respect. The fact that such a huge organisation could feel so personal was hard to believe and a credit to the club.

The challenges I faced when I first came over were huge. With the help of fitness and development coaches my progress was fast tracked and I was able to play my first game of AFL in Round 12, 2007. I pulled on the famous black and white stripes a further 45 times and I am proud of how I represented the club on each occasion. Playing with Collingwood helped me truly understand the beauty of being part of team sport.

My decision to return home was not an easy one. But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much. I also have a burning desire to be a teacher and I want to start that stage of my life as soon as possible.

I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again. I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage.

The latter stages of this year were forgettable ones on a football level. I suppose the uncertainty in my mind didn’t help.

I hope I provided the fans with some good memories and I would like to thank you for all your support.

I would like to thank Derek Hine and his wonderful family for their love and support over the past three years. I would like to thank all the coaching staff who each contributed to my development in no small way. All the backroom staff and volunteers who made the biggest sporting club in Australia seem like my local team in County Down.

And finally I’d like to thank all my teammates. The memories of running out to play with you in big games will remain with me for a long time. I have no doubt that I will be reading about a Premiership success in the very close future.

Led by a great coach and a magnificent captain I wish you boys and the whole club every happiness in the future.
Thank you Collingwood.

Slan Go Foill,

Marty C.

Not too surprising really. Struggled badly to have any impact at the Pies this year and wasn't used much at all during the seconf half of the season.

I'd imagine it's a boost for the GAA to have him back though.

smashey

Just saw that on RTE.

He will be a huge asset to Down.

Orizio

This whole Irish experiment in the AFL seems to be going rather badly.

gucci

Orizio wrote: »

This whole Irish experiment in the AFL seems to be going rather badly.

Clearly its a difficult transition, but I wouldn't say its going badly. Clarke had a good season the seasons before last, and obviously for whatever reasons he struggled a bit this season.

Leaves a space open for me to go over and take his place right? Age 25 I'm sure I would fit in :pac:

Xavi6

Looks like he's on his way back over. Collingwood have confirmed they are holding talks with the player and he could return this season.

Bit if a change of heart it seems.

Hammer Archer

Xavi6 wrote: »

Looks like he's on his way back over. Collingwood have confirmed they are holding talks with the player and he could return this season.

Bit if a change of heart it seems.

That'll be a(nother) big blow to Down. Saw him in Newry against Meath in February and he was excellent. Feckin huge as well so he was.

Poor_old_gill

Hammer Archer wrote: »

That'll be a(nother) big blow to Down. Saw him in Newry against Meath in February and he was excellent. Feckin huge as well so he was.

Big blow??

Orizio

Best of luck to him, will be watching from a distance.

Possibly Xavi could tell us how the young paddies are doing over in OZ? Kennelly and Setanta the only regular starters?

SSK

Orizio wrote: »

Best of luck to him, will be watching from a distance.

Possibly Xavi could tell us how the young paddies are doing over in OZ? Kennelly and Setanta the only regular starters?

I'm no Xavi but I'll have a go anyway :cool:

Pearse Hanley - Brisbane Lions & Mayo: On the fringes of the first team that is doing very well so far, could possibly play this weekend. Doing well in the reserves by all accounts

Brain Donnelly - Adelaide & Louth (I think): Playing for a reserve side of one of the local Adelaide teams, no where near the standard required, will be home at the end of the year probably.

Conor Meredith - North Melbourne & Laois: Similar to Donnelly is playing in effect 3rd team football, a bit in the reserves as well. Most likely home come the end of the year as well.

Tommy Walsh - St Kilda & Kerry: Has only played a couple of games with the reserves but they seem happy with his progress. The Saints are very strong so no chance of him playing until at least next year.

Michael Quinn - Essendon & Longford: Great year last year when he played 5 or 6 games, including a finals match. Seems to be liked by the club management and will get another couple of opportunities this year if he keeps impressing in the 2nds.

Zach Touhy - Carlton & Laois: Same club as Setanta, played his first competive game for the reserves at the weekend and was impressive by all accounts.

Haven't heard too much about Chris McKaigue at Sydney, Niall McKeever at Brisbane or O'Reilly (can't remember his first name :pac:) at Richmond, but they're all only getting going as well