Sean Cavanagh to move "down-under"?

MrJoeSoap

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1012/cavanaghs.html?rss

Cavanagh offered two-year deal by Brisbane
Wednesday, 12 October 2005 2:20

The Brisbane Lions have moved a step closer to luring Sean Cavanagh to Aussie Rules football by offering the Tyrone ace a two-year contract.

The next three weeks will help shape the 22-year-old's future career - whether as an amateur or professional sportsman.

Whilst Down Under with the Ireland International Rules squad, Cavanagh will decide whether to stick with Gaelic football or twist and join the growing band of young Irish stars playing AFL.

Brisbane tabled their contract offer last week and are to monitor Cavanagh's performances during Ireland's two Tests against Australia on October 21 and 28.

"Brisbane have made me an offer to go over for two years," explained Cavanagh, a two-time All-Ireland winner with the Red Hands.

"At the minute, there is an awful lot involved in making a decision.

"I'm currently talking with the likes of Mickey Harte, friends and family and obviously Gerard Scholly, the agent for Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions."

While Tyrone boss Harte is vehemently against the idea of Cavanagh switching sports, even if it is on a trial basis, the young Dungannon-based accountant needs to make a quick decision.

"I'll make my decision in the next week or so. The International Rules will give me a chance to go out and see the country," he added.

"I will have to let them (Brisbane) know before the end of the International Rules because I think pre-season starts at the start of November so I would need to be there."

What do people think? Seems like another example of money being used to lure our GAA stars away (if it happens). Maybe the International Rules series isn't such a good idea after all...

Geg124

It is good for the players to be offered to play over there but it is not good for the sport too lose its best sporting stars.

Hoping that not all our best players from the sport go to Australia because the all-ireland wont be as exciting then

Waylander

I wish him all the best if he decides to go. I think if these players can go to prefessional teams and do well it is a testament to GAA. I do not think it is getting out of hand, there are only a handful of players over there. I also do not think it will deplete the inter county scene too much, as only certain types of players with certain builds would be suitable over there.

I was saddened to hear Mickey Harte saying he was going to call on the GAA to sever all ties with Australia, as I think the international rules series are very entertaining and a great pull for the GAA financially.

Johnny_the_fox

he has a younger brother coming through now... Colm.

apparently he is the 'next big thing' in tyrone.

reademandweep

The facts: Many players have sampled the AFL game. Since 1984 only 3 have had some success: Sean Wight, Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly. Many others have failed - for whatever reason. [All of the aforementioned became brilliant ambassadors for Ireland, down under]

It is unreasonable (and naieve to think that you are able) to prevent amateur players from trying to fulfill their dream by becoming professional athletes. The lure of the Aussie dollar and lifestyle is strong - albeit that players starting out are on peanuts.

Gaelic Football will be able to sustain a trickle of players switching to Aussie rules.

The players that have tried it and returned have come back as stronger gaelic players and continued to perform at the top level.

We should be far more concerned about losing players (in increasing numbers)in the 16-23 age category here at home, to other sports & pastimes than we are about "losing" a handful to Aussie Rules...........let's focus our energies on this!

gaa247

In my opinion Cavanagh should go over there and try it out.He is a model profeissional and he will get paid for playing a sport.He is only 22 and if the 2 year contract doesnt get renewed he will come back only 24, still great possibilities for a great football career.The sooner the gaa starts rewarding players the better cos this will keep happening to our best players

Lemlin

Cavanagh will lose alot by moving though. Alright he will get paid for playing but he's moving from Tyrone, where he's treated like a God, to Australia, where'll be just another trainee Aussie Rules player, unless or until he makes it big.

He's an accountant as well. So he's never going to struggle financially and he'll have to put that career on hold for years that he could spend building up a practice.

Flukey

It would be a pity to lose such a good player, but it's down to him. Kennelly wants to come back now and try to win an All-Ireland, having won an Australian Grand Final. Cavanagh could add a few more medals to the two he has if he stays.

Waylander

From RTE, a surprising turn of events, to me at least:


Cavanagh turns down AFL offer
Friday, 14 October 2005 5:06



Sean Cavanagh, on the left, in action for his club

Tyrone star Sean Cavanagh has turned down a two-year contract offer from AFL club the Brisbane Lions.

The 22-year-old, who is due to fly Down Under this weekend with the Ireland International Rules squad, was targeted as 'an international rookie' by Brisbane, who, under AFL provisions, can sign up to two players per season from a non-AFL background.

There are also no limits on what international recruits can be paid as their contracts fall outside the salary cap, but Moy clubman Cavanagh has decided to stay and help the Red Hands defend the All-Ireland SFC title in 2006.


"I have given it a lot of thought but I have decided against it," he said today.

"I love playing Gaelic football. I think it is the best game in the world and I would rather be playing it than Australian football."

Brisbane are currently shedding some senior players, including Premiership stars Beau McDonald, Robert Copeland and Brad Scott, in a bid to squeeze under next year's salary cap and a player of Cavanagh's ability and physique was seen an ideal target.

"It is extremely flattering that somebody from Brisbane would come and pick me out of a small town and give me the chance to try my hand at Australian Rules," added the Dungannon-based accountant.

"People will maybe think I might be stupid to turn down an offer to go over to Brisbane and play football.

"But the GAA is as good as anyone with the opportunities coming up now for players with things like sponsorships and endorsements.

"However, the financial part of it, being a professional footballer, did not come into the equation when I was making the decision."

Down minor captain James Colgan and forward Martin Clarke have also held negotiations with Brisbane, prompting fears that a growing number of young Gaelic stars could be lured Down Under.

But Australian International Rules coach Kevin Sheedy reckons the GAA have nothing to fear.

"The AFL has never been worried by the prospect of mass Irish defections to Aussie Rules because it will never happen," Sheedy said.

"We have never actively sought to recruit Irish players and if you look back in history very few Irish players have ever wanted to make the switch to Australian Rules.

"Both countries are committed to the future of the International Rules series and while the odd Irish player might make the switch from hurling and Gaelic football to AFL, we don't envisage it happening on an regular basis."

The scouting of Irish players is perhaps inevitable. Former Roscommon footballer Paul Earley, who became Melbourne's first Irish recruit in the 1980s, now operates as a Dublin-based talent scout for Premiership club Collingwood.

Gerard Sholly, who has also worked on Collingwood's behalf, spent the past week in Ireland scoping out player talent with Brisbane manager Graeme Allan.

Flukey

Cavanagh in, but McGinley out. Sean Cavanagh has decided to stay in Ireland. Enda McGinley did some cruciate damage in a club game and will be out for most of next year. So a day of good and bad news for Tyrone.

Waylander

Actually I heard the starters over there only get about $18k per annum(The last word today). Not surprised he was not interested now.

Lemlin

An accountant in Ireland wouldn't get out of bed for 18k a year!

Geg124

good to see him say no. We need to kepp our best players playing the sport. He can now concentrate fully on winning the cup for Ireland down under

seabee

Johnny_the_fox wrote:

he has a younger brother coming through now... Colm.

apparently he is the 'next big thing' in tyrone.

I saw him play for his school & he looked a class act!

Lemlin

This still won't stop the tide of younger players who Australian clubs are poaching nowadays.

If anything, the Schoolboys Aussie Rules has given them a trial to look at the best Irish players.

roykeane16

Dont Think He Is Going Now

Geg124

No he is not going now

dSTAR

Waylander wrote:

Actually I heard the starters over there only get about $18k per annum(The last word today). Not surprised he was not interested now.

Even still. What does he get paid to play for Tyrone?

reademandweep wrote:

We should be far more concerned about losing players (in increasing numbers)in the 16-23 age category here at home, to other sports & pastimes than we are about "losing" a handful to Aussie Rules...........let's focus our energies on this!

Good point. How many players have gone back to play GAA after playing soccer at professional level?

galwaydude

sure isnt he an accountant too so unless he was getting $40,000 +, he would loose out financially.

In a few years he will probably be a partner at his uncles firm or even for one of the bigger fish.

Lemlin

Even still. What does he get paid to play for Tyrone?

Its not all about the benjamins. Would you not like to be treated like a living God in your county?

dSTAR

Lemlin wrote:

Would you not like to be treated like a living God in your county?

Who would say no to the junkets, girls constantly throwing themselves at you and possibly never having to dip your hand in your pocket in nearly every pub in Tyrone?

:cool:

Lemlin

Who would say no to the junkets, girls constantly throwing themselves at you and possibly never having to dip your hand in your pocket in nearly every pub in Tyrone?

That's my point exactly. If he moved to Australia he'd be just another Aussie Rules player. Over here he is hugely respected in his county and by his peers in the sporting world.

*marie*

Lemlin wrote:

That's my point exactly. If he moved to Australia he'd be just another Aussie Rules player. Over here he is hugely respected in his county and by his peers in the sporting world.

Plus the fact that playing Gaelic is all about doing it cos you love the sport, not for money.

Lemlin

*marie* wrote:

Plus the fact that playing Gaelic is all about doing it cos you love the sport, not for money.

That said, I'm sure Sean Cavanagh wouldn't turn away whatever sponsorship money he receives.