Irish AFL players

Tigerandahalf

I just looked at the teams that Dr posted there.
From what I see McKeever and Hanly got games for Brisbane. Clarke also played for Collingwood. Good to see the Irish lads getting a go.
No sign of T Walsh in the Swans line up. Let's hope himself and Setanta get going. This could be a record year for Irish players getting consistent game time. Setanta should play once he comes back from injury.
Hanly scored 2 goals in Round 1. It looks like he is going to nail down his place in the side and even become one of their better players. McKeever in the full back line is interesting. Most of the Irish lads have tended to play half back or midfield. No sign though of that lad who played with Richmond, O'Reilly from Down.
Thanks to Dr for putting up the teams. It would be good if that could be done every week. I have an app called FootyNow but it doesn't display the teams that played. Neither does the HeraldSun when reporting games. I think the AFL site has the team lists from Thursdays.

bruschi

O Reilly was delisted and as far as I know came back home.

Collingwood also have Cribbon from Kildare and Mooney from Down. By all accounts, Mooney could be the next player to make the breakthrough.

DoctorGonzo08

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

It would be good if that could be done every week. I have an app called FootyNow but it doesn't display the teams that played. Neither does the HeraldSun when reporting games. I think the AFL site has the team lists from Thursdays.

Yeah, I'll be putting them up for each round as they get released.

O'Reilly apparently got homesick and requested to be delisted.

Tigerandahalf

Didnt know that. He got games at the end of 2010 season. It seems to happen to good share of Irish boys, get a run in the team, lose their place and then find it v hard to get back into the team again.

DoctorGonzo08

Richmond lose two Irish recruits:

Homesick Heslin returns to Lake County

By Daragh Ó Conchúir
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Westmeath football has been boosted by the return of John Heslin to Ireland after three months with AFL outfit Richmond.
The Australian club last night cited homesickness for Heslin’s decision.

The St Loman’s product is the second Irishman to leave the Tigers in six months, after Down’s Jamie O’Reilly chose to renew his studies at Queens University in Belfast after a two-year stint with the club. While Heslin’s return has been reported as "indefinite" and he remains contracted to Richmond, the 19-year-old will not be prevented from playing with club and county.

Richmond’s football general manager Craig Cameron said: "It’s never easy for young players to relocate to a new country. John found that transition difficult and has experienced homesickness. We understand his decision to return home at this time."

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/homesick-heslin-returns-to-lake-county-184315.html#ixzz1qySvN0cG

Real FM

I think Setanta moved out to Greater Western Sydney.

Tigerandahalf

Yes Setanta is with GWS.

Here are 2 articles previewing the Irish AFL players for 2012. The author I think posted it either here or in the oz forum before but I can't find it so it's no harm to have it in here anyway as it's a good read.

Part 1
http://www.bigfootynews.com/2012/03/irish-afl-2012-pt-1/

Part 2
http://www.bigfootynews.com/2012/03/irish-afl-2012-pt-2/

Blue Shamrock

Anyone knows whats up with Setanta and Tommy Walsh? no sign of either of them yet so far not appearing on injury lists that I have seen, I'm sure Setanta at least would improve the GWS team.

Just seen that Setanta is out injured for another week with a "corked calf" (love the different words they use for injuries) .

DoctorGonzo08

Blue Shamrock wrote: »

Anyone knows whats up with Setanta and Tommy Walsh? no sign of either of them yet so far not appearing on injury lists that I have seen, I'm sure Setanta at least would improve the GWS team.

Just seen that Setanta is out injured for another week with a "corked calf" (love the different words they use for injuries) .

Yeah Setanta should be a walk into the GWS team when he gets fit. Walsh has been named on the extended Interchange this weekend. However I don't think he will make the cut with Parker, Seaby & Malceski there as well. I think he is just finding it hard to make the adjustment to the oval ball.

Mackman

http://www.afl.com.au/Video/tabid/76/contentid/442032/friday+news+wrap/Default.aspx

AFL Friday News Wrap featuring Marty Clarke on Collingwoods injury woes.

DoctorGonzo08

Looks like Walsh might get the nod this week on the back of Gary Rohan out.

Xavi6

Walsh to debut this week finally

bruschi

Xavi6 wrote: »

Walsh to debut this week finally

no surprise really. It was going to be hard for him to break into a team who had won 5 on the trot, but now they have lost their last 2, things would be shaken up a bit. hope he goes well. Reid has been an awful disappointment for Sydney this season (not to mention my fantasy team :mad:) so there is a spot there for him as a lead forward to compete for. And against a useless Melbourne team, its a good game for him to come into.

paddy978

Delighted for Tommy, what time is the game Irish time?

jackbhoy

paddy978 wrote: »

Delighted for Tommy, what time is the game Irish time?

4.40pm here so 7.40am in Ireland.

bruschi

7.40am on Saturday, I think.

edit: beaten to it, thats what I get for leaving my desk in the middle of typing a reply!

Tigerandahalf

I must try to watch this online somewhere. If I can't get a link Ill listen to radio coverage.

DDC1990

Alarm set for the morning.

Hope Tommy does well.

Will have to try and find a stream for the morning.

Fingers crossed.

Xavi6

Kicked a goal in the first half, training exercise for the Swans pretty much.

jackbhoy

Xavi6 wrote: »

Kicked a goal in the first half, training exercise for the Swans pretty much.

How did he play? He got 84 SC pts so assume he saw a decent amount of the ball?
Moving bloody house today so missed all the footy, about to watch Richmond beat Bombers though, Go Tiges!!!!

DDC1990

jackbhoy wrote: »

How did he play? He got 84 SC pts so assume he saw a decent amount of the ball?
Moving bloody house today so missed all the footy, about to watch Richmond beat Bombers though, Go Tiges!!!!

Did well.

Kicked 2-1.

Made a good few contested marks.

Ran hard tackled well, and won 4-5 free kicks.

Got tired towards the end, but played everywhere in the forward line at some stage, so did a lot of running.

Satisfying debut.

bruschi

yeah it was a good performance for a debut, but he will never get an easier game. His first goal is probably one of the easiest goals anyone can get for their first AFL goal, ball rolls through to him running into the goal line with no one around. Just had to pick it up and kicked it nearly over the stand behind. He played better than Reid, who he could end up competing with for a spot at full forward. Fair play to him anyway, he was a while waiting for his chance, and he took it. A good game to start off with, its against other teams where he will be properly evaluated.

DDC1990

bruschi wrote: »

yeah it was a good performance for a debut, but he will never get an easier game. His first goal is probably one of the easiest goals anyone can get for their first AFL goal, ball rolls through to him running into the goal line with no one around. Just had to pick it up and kicked it nearly over the stand behind. He played better than Reid, who he could end up competing with for a spot at full forward. Fair play to him anyway, he was a while waiting for his chance, and he took it. A good game to start off with, its against other teams where he will be properly evaluated.

Yeah, I think Reid is faster, and better at getting marks in front, but he seems like a bit of a coward in the air (based on 1 full game and weekly highlights, im not claiming to be a swans expert).

Walsh contests better in the air, has a big body that can draw fouls, has better distribution (almost every pass he had foud a man).

Can't comment on Goalkicking as Reid was terrible (kicked 1) and Tommy's 2 were easy, and the behind was a tough kick. Its good for Tommy to be in a contest for his position, like his time at Kerry, the position battle drove him on to be a better player.

bruschi

DDC1990 wrote: »

Yeah, I think Reid is faster, and better at getting marks in front, but he seems like a bit of a coward in the air (based on 1 full game and weekly highlights, im not claiming to be a swans expert).

Walsh contests better in the air, has a big body that can draw fouls, has better distribution (almost every pass he had foud a man).

Can't comment on Goalkicking as Reid was terrible (kicked 1) and Tommy's 2 were easy, and the behind was a tough kick. Its good for Tommy to be in a contest for his position, like his time at Kerry, the position battle drove him on to be a better player.

I'd only been keeping an eye on Reid as I had him in my fantasy team, a lot was expected of him this year and he has not produced the goods at all on the promise shown. He has all the tools to be a key player, but is not producing the goods.

Xavi6

One possession, subbed after three quarters and -3 in Dream Team.

Not a good night for Walsh.

bruschi

Caolan Mooney set to play for Collingwood this weekend against Freo. Fair play to the lad for making such an impression in such a short time.

seipeal1

By all accounts, the lad has been playing great in the vfl. I think he might be something special. The other young Lad from Kildare still trying to make an impression in the reserves.

bruschi wrote: »

Caolan Mooney set to play for Collingwood this weekend against Freo. Fair play to the lad for making such an impression in such a short time.

bruschi

yeah he got 5 goals in the VFL there last week. Teams just released there now, and Marty Clarke is out of the Collingwood side. Pity both couldnt be on the team together for Mooneys debut.

shanemkelly

Great to see Mooney getting a go.
Everyone seems to be talking about his speed - saying he'll be the fastest player in the AFL!
Hope he has a great debut (though not 'too great' - Go Freo!! )...

jackbhoy

Another great game for Hanley today, he's quietly becoming a top player for Lions and if he keeps improving he could be a star in next couple of years.

bruschi

watched Mooneys debut. did well in fairness to him, only got about ten minutes or so, but one a free kick for holding the ball with his first action, and then set up 2 goals, first one he ran through the defence, took a shot but was short and Dawes finished it off. Second was a nice quick handpass to Thomas who tapped it home. Crowd warmed to him quickly and the comms were all over him too. Good to see him do well anyway, so lets hope he can keep up the form.

keane2097

I've done a little update of how some of the Irish players have been getting on over the last couple of weeks here if anybody is interested:

http://www.livegaelic.com/irish-experiment/the-irish-experiment-15082012/

jackbhoy

keane2097 wrote: »

I've done a little update of how some of the Irish players have been getting on over the last couple of weeks here if anybody is interested:

http://www.livegaelic.com/irish-experiment/the-irish-experiment-15082012/

Pretty well-informed and thorough piece, good stuff.

keane2097

Cheers! As I said in the article we've been a bit crap at maintaining the column when the GAA was in full throttle mode but I'll look to be a bit more regular with it from here till the end of the season.

We'll be looking to do a couple of interviews with Caolan and Tommy in the next while as well so let me know if there's any questions you'd be interested in having answered.

MaroonAndGreen

any truth in the rumor that Hanley is returning to play inter-county Gaelic Football with Mayo?

manlad

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

any truth in the rumor that Hanley is returning to play inter-county Gaelic Football with Mayo?

Doubt that. He's been one of Brisbane best players this year

Xavi6

Paul Cribbin cut by Collingwood

Tigerandahalf

How long has he been out there? Is he the Kidare lad?

SSK

manlad wrote: »

Doubt that. He's been one of Brisbane best players this year

He's contracted with Brisbane until at least 2013, possibly even longer than that (they didn't release the duration of the contract he signed last year) and my guess is that with the amount of salary cap space they have, particularly when they ship out a couple of senior players this year, they will throw substantial wads of cash at him to keep him down under. He'll be top 5 in the Lions' best and fairest again this year without doubt.

I doubt we'll see him in the green and red until the tail end of his career, which is a pity for Mayo as he would be good enough to get them over the line to an All Ireland IMO.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Paul Cribbin cut by Collingwood

I'm slightly surprised at this to be honest, he has been much improved in the reserves this year by all accounts and has been in the best players regularly over the last few weeks. Just lacks that little bit to make it as an AFL player unfortunately but his return will do a hell of a lot more for Kildare football than Seanie Johnson, he's an extremely natural talent.

This was his second season

bruschi

Tommy Walsh named to play for Sydney. Good time to be breaking in, altho will find it tough playing Geelong. Opposite for Clarke, who isnt even named in the Pies emergencies, especially after he nullified Stanton (or was it Watson) in their last outing v Essendon. Tuohy and Hanley both are keeping up with excellent seasons in being virtually starters in every game.

Tigerandahalf

Great for Tommy but hardly the best opposition to build up your confidence. On the other hand a big performance and he could have a lot to gain with the finals just around the corner.

Xavi6

Ciaran Kilkenny has officially signed for Hawthorn today, good club to be at.

keane2097

Did an interview with Tommy for LiveGaelic if anyone's interested.

SSK

keane2097 wrote: »

Did an interview with Tommy for LiveGaelic if anyone's interested.

Nice interview mate. With Tippett arriving he will find it even more difficult to get a game, tough gig really because he probably deserved a few more opportunities than he got last year.

Xavi6

Xavi6 wrote: »

Ciaran Kilkenny has officially signed for Hawthorn today, good club to be at.

That didn't last long, heading home already.

jackbhoy

Xavi6 wrote: »

That didn't last long, heading home already.

Jeez, I understand he's a young guy and it's tough moving to the other side of the world but surely he could have stayed on bit longer and given it a right go. If nothing else he would have learned a huge amount about professional sports training and diet, strength and conditioning etc that he could take back to GAA.

Xavi6

jackbhoy wrote: »

Jeez, I understand he's a young guy and it's tough moving to the other side of the world but surely he could have stayed on bit longer and given it a right go. If nothing else he would have learned a huge amount about professional sports training and diet, strength and conditioning etc that he could take back to GAA.

I thought the same but the heads in the GAA forum think he gave it long enough if he didn't like it.

I disagree, he should have at least waited until he played a few competitive VFL games and got a proper feel for the whole thing. Especially when he said Aussie Rules was an ambition of his since 14.

bruschi

Xavi6 wrote: »

I thought the same but the heads in the GAA forum think he gave it long enough if he didn't like it.

I disagree, he should have at least waited until he played a few competitive VFL games and got a proper feel for the whole thing. Especially when he said Aussie Rules was an ambition of his since 14.

I think the way I'd look at it is that of a 19 year old who hasnt long finished school and moved to Australia. I know plenty in a similar situation who just didnt take to the move and came home after a couple of months. It seems it was just that for Kilkenny, doesnt really seem to be that he couldnt hack the game or felt he had tried enough of it, just he basically missed home and wanted to go back.

Everyone is different, I know if I had his ability and the opportunity you wouldnt see me for dust and I'd be out there long time, but everyone is different and take to things differently. He went at least, and whilst it wasnt really long enough to get a full idea, if there was a seed of doubt that big in his mind, it would be doubtful things would get any better for him. A shame really, would like to have seen how he went.

DoctorGonzo08

There may have been a bit of homesickness about it, but i would have assumed it was morre to do with the heat and more physicality. No doubt he is a great footballer, but I would have thought more of the guy if he just came out and said it was very hard to adapt to the game.

Syferus

It takes a lot of guts to admit you've made the wrong choice. This is the bravest choice you can make, continuing with something that isnt for you because of expectations of others or the potential money isn't something you'd wish on anyone. You have to remember he grew up dreaming of winning All-Irelands with Dublin and with Castleknock, not playing a new sport half way around the world.

That Castleknock find themselves in the junior AISF and the Dublin u21s are gearing up to defend their AI title surely played a role in his decision.

It's a blow for Irish fans of Aussie Rules but the lad made the choice that'll make him happiest and few can argue with that. His statement was one of the most honest and classy I've ever read and to try to question his motivations is laughable in how much being away from everything you've ever known effects you. Were players able to stay at home and play Aussie Rules there would be far more players successful at it because they'd still have a safety net. The differences in the codes and in terms of training pale in comparision to outside factors.

What it does say is how much passion the likes of Kennelly, Hanley and Walsh have had for the sport to get where they are. Ciaran isn't deminished by his decision, but the others are enhanced by comparison.

Tigerandahalf

One can only presume he was very homesick. However staying in Ireland it is likely he will pick up a scholarship from one of the universities in Dublin. Staying in Oz there is no guarantee he will make it big and the salary out there is not huge unless you make it big.