Kerry Players Down Under

[sullyschoice]

Oct 7, 2009 11:44:29 GMT buck02 said:

A bit off topic but did anybody see in the Kerryman today that an Australian Rules U16 team (from what I can make out its a national development side) played in Listowel against the locals on Monday night.

Wednesday October 07 2009

AUSSIE Rules young stars met their north Kerry counterparts in a compromise rules showdown enjoyed by hundreds in Listowel on Monday night.

Arriving in Listowel this week, the Australian Wanderers — the equivalent of the Australian national under-16 squad — got the chance to savour the GAA in the home of one of the heroes of their game, Tadhg Kennelly.

It was all part of the Australian Wanderers' national tour taking place in recent weeks and the Emmets proved one of their toughest competitors yet. The Aussies just swung the game in the last quarter, at which point the oval ball was introduced, but the Emmets had a lot to be proud of.

"They did great and it was a wonderful occasion, we were delighted to host the Australian team," Emmets PRO, Nora Browne, said. "We'd like to thank all who contributed to making it a great night for all the young players as well as the hundreds of supporters who came in from all over north Kerry as well as town," Nora added.

[narriesrule]

the only ppl that kno if tommy walsh and dave moran are going is them and der familys there is gonna be rumours the going otheres saying there not the only thing to do is to wait till the boys have told ppl themselfs

[randymarsh]

Oct 8, 2009 11:45:49 GMT narriesrule said:

the only ppl that kno if tommy walsh and dave moran are going is them and der familys there is gonna be rumours the going otheres saying there not the only thing to do is to wait till the boys have told ppl themselfs

In English - The only people that know if Tommy Walsh and David Moran are going are themselves and their familys. There is going to be rumours that they are going and others saying they're not. The only thing to do is to wait until the boys have told people themselves.

[austinstacksabu]

Oct 8, 2009 15:14:06 GMT randymarsh said:

Oct 8, 2009 11:45:49 GMT narriesrule said:

the only ppl that kno if tommy walsh and dave moran are going is them and der familys there is gonna be rumours the going otheres saying there not the only thing to do is to wait till the boys have told ppl themselfs

In English - The only people that know if Tommy Walsh and David Moran are going are themselves and their familys. There is going to be rumours that they are going and others saying they're not. The only thing to do is to wait until the boys have told people themselves.

Nearly fell off the chair laughing.

[jackiel]

You can tell it's winter when posters are more interested in correcting the grammar on previous posts than the content.
Incidentally would it not be "families". Tongue very much in cheek.

[buck02]

Oct 4, 2009 13:45:52 GMT narriesrule said:

if tommy walsh and dave moran want to go what can strand road do about it only try and stop them they will be a massive lost to strand and to kerry but they both deserve it i deffo dont want them to go if they dont like it they can always get bak on a plane to come home and they will be welcomed bak in to the kingdom and strand road with open arms sunday will tell alot if strand road win there decision will be 10 times harder if they lose we can all be getting ready to say good bye to tommy walsh and dave moran i hope they stay but there only 21 years if age getting paid for the sport the both love and two best friends in ass together xxx

Randymarsh - any chance of translating this though

[narriesrule]

toomy walsh and dave moran are both going to aussie goood luck to them

[fenit67]

This is just to humour you buck02, so here goes;
"The Kerins O'Rahilly's Football and Hurling Club will be unable to prevent Messrs. Thomas Walsh and David Moran from leaving the club and the said departure will be a source of great sadness to Kerins O'Rahilly's and to the Kerry County Board; however in mitigation it must be said that both gentlemen deserve the opportunity presented to them but I retain my vehement opposition to their imminent departure. A professional environment is most testing and should the separation prove too great then they will certainly be welcomed back. The Club Championship final is to be played on Sunday the 11th of October and if Kerins O'Rahilly's prevail the decision for both gentlemen will be incredibly difficult but if defeated then many tears will be shed in view of an emotional parting of the ways for all concerned. It is with little hope that my most heartfelt wish of having them remain will be realised and it is in the full acceptance of this eventuality that I wish them both the very best in the pursuit of their professional endeavours." I'm afraid I had trouble with the last 6 words and dared not risk a translation. I really must ask Mark Fitz if they are going. Now will this do you buck02?

[mozzy]

don't go.....

[mossie]

with employment opportunities so scarce in the country not to mention kerry, who could blame Walsh and Moran for trying out the opportunity.

whatever about kerry struggling with their loss, it is a mortal blow for Strand Road. No club team in the country could lose two young players of that standard and hope to remain in contention for county championship honours

Oct 10, 2009 12:45:16 GMT narriesrule said:

toomy walsh and dave moran are both going to aussie goood luck to them

[haryegsnbaken]

Bad news for the Narries if they go...

But if any county team can absorb the loss it is Kerry.

Best of luck to the 2 young men whatever happens.

[Johnnyb]

THE REPUBLIC of Ireland’s qualification for the Fifa World Cup play-offs is good news for the GAA. The revenue from next month’s play-off strengthens Croke Park’s chances of equalling last year’s profitability figures with even the possibility of exceeding them.

Stadium director Peter McKenna told The Irish Times yesterday, whereas he had yet to see all of the figures, the trend for the year was more encouraging than had been anticipated in January when projections were for a decline in profitability from the record 2008 profits of nearly €20 million.

“I’ll have a better feel for that later in the week when I actually look at the numbers, but it could be more positive than we would have thought at the start of the year. We were looking at a €4 million drop but we could be back at last year’s figure or better.”



You know, when job prospects in the country arent great and talented players opt for the high road as a consequence, someting about the above, from todays Irish Times, rankles!

[glengael]

Tommy looked very well on the TV the other nite, much better than his KK namesake.

He deserved an All Star as well.

[narriesrule]

tommy walsh and dave moran are going as of now.today will tell all

[Laoch na hImeartha]

FROM WWW.ADELAIDENOW.COM.AU

Gaelic star Tommy Walsh signs with St Kilda

Mark Robinson | October 19, 2009 11:30pm


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ST KILDA has completed a stunning hit and run raid on Ireland's best young gaelic player, Tommy Walsh, signing him late last night to a two-year rookie deal.

To the horror of the Gaelic Athletic Association and his county, Kerry, Saints list manager Matthew Drain flew from New York to Dublin overnight Sunday to sign Walsh, the winner of the 2008 Young Player of the Year.

Walsh, who is 194cm and weighs 99kg, is a dynamic forward and is considered the brightest young star of gaelic football, comparable in excitement to the AFL's Buddy Franklin.

Irish media have speculated for months on the future of the 21-year-old, believing he would turn his back on an AFL career and remain at gaelic champions, Kerry.

Walsh last night scuttled their dreams.

"I'm very excited," Walsh said. "I'm glad all the speculation is over and I'm looking forward to going over.

"It was a very tough decision ... but it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

"I'm not under any illusions about what's ahead and hopefully it will work out.".

The Saints swooped last night, which was part of a frenetic four-day round-the-world odyssey for Drain.

Drain flew out of Melbourne Friday lunch-time, arrived in New York on Friday night, left New York for Dublin on Sunday night, arrived in Dublin yesterday and will fly back to New York tonight in anticipation of talking to Luke Ball, who is on holiday, about his future.

Drain said last night it was "very pleasing" to finally sign Walsh. "From our point of point of view it was one of the reasons we gave up pick 16 (for Andrew Lovett) because in the back of our mind we thought we could get him," Drain said.

"He is the best credentialed player to come out of Ireland.

"He's very different to a lot of key forwards going around, he's very agile for his height, he was in the Stephen Hill range in agility testing."

Player manager Ricky Nixon, who 'found' Walsh via his Irish Academy, said last night Walsh would have "the eyes of two countries on him instead of one".

"Hopefully he will revolutionise Irish players in the AFL," Nixon said. "Most, if not all, have been running midfielders but Tommy is a forward and no Irish player has come to play forward in the AFL ... he is a powerhouse player.

"He's built like Wayne Carey and that's not to say he will play like Wayne Carey because he won't, but he is an imposing player."

The Saints will try to fast-track Walsh's development with the view to playing him beside skipper Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke next year.

"He's a born leader, he's from an outstanding family, his father Sean was an absolute legend for Kerry and his two younger bothers are standout players in the juniors."

The GAA and the Kerry heartland will be devastated by Walsh's decision, which comes just weeks after Collingwood pair Marty Clarke and Kevin Dyas returned to Ireland.

Walsh, who will earn about $50,000 per year, will be possibly joined at St Kilda by Kerry teammate David Moran, a running midfielder.

Eye-catching is Walsh's athleticism and, obviously, his size. It puts him in the bracket of Sydney's Adam Goodes, St Kilda's Sam Gilbert, Port's Warren Tredrea and Carlton's Jarrad Waite who are listed as 194cm in the AFL Season Guide.

Walsh spent a week at St Kilda last December and while ecstatic about the experience, he did not commit himself to a potential AFL career.

"I met the first-team coach, the captain Nick Riewoldt and some of the players," he said. "I felt comfortable."

The Saints have tracked him through the gaelic season, while Walsh himself has been developing his AFL skills set. "With most players who come out of Ireland, we watch them, talk to them, and teach them them to kick a drop punt," Nixon said.

"The advantage of him coming out here a year ago is that he's had a Sherrin in his hands for a year to practise his skills.

Drain, meanwhile, is set to seek out Ball in New York on his return tomorrow in the States.

"We'll try to work through things over the next few weeks," Drain said

[Laoch na hImeartha]

€30,000 to play football professionally.....doesn't seem all that much but I suppose I wouldnt say no.................

[patinkerry]

Phew, between Tadgh's statement and Tommy Walsh heading down under, its not a great start to the week. Think I will watch the first half of the Kerry v Dublin match to cheer myself up.

[sullyschoice]

Hope you dont find someone has recorded the 1982 final from All Ireland Gold over it

[sandycove]

Can't blame the guy for wanting to give it a try, what with the sunshine and the lifestyle out there.
But its a disaster for Kerry. We'll have a hard time filling his boots.
With any luck he'll do a Tadhg and come back after a few years.

[fortyyards]

Disappointed to see Tommy go but can only wish him the best. Being a bit of a name he'll be in for a torrid timeI'm sure, I hope he can survive out there unscathed.

It will be interesting to see if David will be offered a contract, he doesn't quite have the physicality of Walsh but maybe they will see something in him.

Either way they will always be welcomed back if things don't work out.

[3inarow08]

Plenty of Aussie eyes watching this thread and these boards......

[buck02]

Its a relief that we finally know what the situation is now and the management can plan for the 2010 season knowing Tommy wont be on the panel.

Its a disappointment for his club and county to be losing a guy who probably has 10 years ahead of him at the top. Tommy still had a number of rough edges that needed to knocked from him before he could be called a "great" player, but I was sure he would in time become that player.

I think its only fair that he is wished all the best in his move to Australian Rules football. Of course a part of me hopes he doesnt make the grade out there and returns sooner rather than later but a part of me also wants him to take the game by storm and become a household name in Australia.

To Tommy I say thank you for helping us win the All Ireland this year. The two second half points in the final will live long in the memory.

[JOAN]

sorry to see tommy go but wish him the best !!

[animal]

Best of luck to Tommy. He has every right to give it a try. He'll be welcome back when / if the time comes.
His 4 points in this years final will live long in the memory.

[Jo90]

Best of luck Tommy.
Off to Australia with 2 All-Ireland medals in the back pocket, one of which he played a crucial role in winning.
Sure he was all skin and bone anyway, a couple of years in Australia bulking up will be good for him
Even if he never comes back I'm sure he'll be a great ambassador for Kerry out there.

[soccer4croker]

To be honest i don't know what to make of this. You can look at this two ways. Firstly you look at it as a great opportunity for Walsh a chance to play a professional sport, train professionally and gain huge experience on how to behave like a professional athlete, that can only help Kerry in future years when he returns and Secondly you can look at it as easy and quick way to make a quick buck and turn his back on tradition and chance to win more all Ireland's. I would love to know has he watched many AFL games as they are on TV every weekend... How many people would give anything to ware that green and gold jersey and then suddenly when money comes into it a persons head is turned straight away. In someway I hope this move proves to be a failure and that pr**k Nixon takes his attention elsewhere and out of Ireland. He has built this Walsh move to St Kildas up so much that his credibility is noting if this move fails..

[tottenham]

Fair play to you Walsh. Do us proud out there.It takes B*lls to make a decision like this and i hope it works out for you.You played a stormer for us in All Ireland final and if that was your way of saying goodbye for a few year it worked.
Best of Luck Tommy

[thepope]

very sorry to see him go and he will be a serious loss to the panel. bad week in the news for us for different reasons, but such is life.

obviously wish tommy every success out there, maybe he'll return home to win another Celtic cross someday.

[diehard]

Deeply disappointed he decided to go. I huge loss to Kerry football. Whether he is a success or not is irrelavant now from a purely Kerry point of view. He has decieded to given Australian Rules the best years of his life. Totally gutted by this move.

[kerrygreat]

He will be sorely missed.