Kerry Players Down Under

[blackandgreen]

Kerry duo Tommy Walsh and David Moran are poised to reverse the recent trend and commit their futures to Australian Rules side St Kilda.

A report in today's Irish Daily Star suggests the Kerry stars will replenish the declining numbers of Irish in the AFL by signing for the Melbourne outfit in the coming weeks.

The Kerins O'Rahilly's pair are believed to be set to follow in the footsteps of Kingdom team-mate Tadhg Kennelly and boost Irish numbers Down Under following the recent departures of Martin Clarke, Kevin Dyas and Brendan Murphy.

Agent Ricky Nixon revealed this week that 'three or four' contracts were on the table for Irish-based footballers and he is expected in Ireland to tie up those contracts.

International rookies can expect to make in the region of €25,000 a year and most newcomers are tied to two-year contracts.

[animal]

Oooooooooh! The Irish Daily Star says so. It must be true!!

[chrism]

Gooch spoke about it yesterday too on Tv3. Said he was hoping Tommy would stay but that Tommy would be making a final decision in the coming weeks. Irish Examiner today says Ciaran Sheehan is staying and has started in CIT.

[kerrygold]

Mickey Mouse signing on fees equating to fools gold.

Dyas from Armagh is home as well.

I often wonder are some of these lads getting or taking on board seasoned advice.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't blame anyone for giving it a go. The rewards could be great, though they are unlikely to ultimately succeed.
Tommy and David could go in the next few weeks and live the lives of professional athletes for the next few months.

If they don't like it, they should learn a few things along the way and be back next May/June for the championship.

David and Tommy have plenty good people to advise them anyway.

[chrism]

Think Shields spoke very honestly to Ciaran Sheehan. Counihan was very cute too the way he brought Ciaran Sheehan into the panel. Showed him what he could be losing out on. Colm O Neill did very well last year. Saw him on the paper getting the keys of a brand new Company car. Sheehan thinks that he could be the same next year. Having seeing Sheehan in the under 21 game last year, He is a huge prospect. Only a few weeks off playing minor in 2009 but with the body of a 24year old. He glides past defenders and can score from way out. Must say have been on a high for the past few weeks but you wouldn't be long falling back to earth with news like this.

[austinstacksabu]

Sept 30, 2009 10:41:21 GMT kerrygold said:

I often wonder are some of these lads getting or taking on board seasoned advice.

They have Tadhg Kennelly to advise them - the only man who truly knows what goes into winning a flag down there.

[A.N. Other]

Tommy is as good as gone,David is still making up his mind. And this was being said before they even published it.

[kerrygold]

Some talent to lose if he goes,a blue chip kerry corner forward.

Don't hold yere breath expecting to see him coming back if he goes.

Nixon will be rubbing his hands in glee having landed the real big one from Ireland.

I suppose the question for the lads is,is the difference between becoming iconin kerry footballers at home and the opportunities that door opens worth the difference between losing that and a fist full of Australian dollars.

Give me the iconic status of the two Micko's,Jacko,Maurice and Darragh amongs't their own in kerry any day.

Hard to see David Moran being content with four minutes in a winning all-ireland final satisfying his potential position in kerry football.

And don't anyone bother trying to explain to me what goes on in the hearts and minds of cubs that grew up in boom time now defunct Celtic Ireland because I wont get it.

[sambo]

Let me see now!! You are 21 and single. You have a choice of living and working (maybe if you are lucky) in rain sodden Ireland, buying a three bed semi d in strand road, meet a few fat narrie chicks in Fabric, playing most of you club football in the winter, and getting 4 mins of football with Kerry. Alternatively you could play professional football in sun drenched Australia, rent a pad near bondi beach, date Aussie blondes .... I know where I would be heading and its not to the narries club house!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chrism]

Well at least We will have Donaghy back for next year. I really could see Tommy Walsh making a go of the Aussie football. Do not think he will be back.

[chrism]

CIARAN SHEEHAN has handed Cork football a massive boost by revealing that he has turned his back on an AFL career with Carlton, citing homesickness as a key factor in his decision to pursue a career in the GAA.



Sheehan, who was a member of the Cork training panel in the build-up to the recent All-Ireland final decider, spent four weeks during the summer in Melbourne with the AFL outfit but found it difficult to acclimatise during that period.

"It’s just myself and my mom at home, so homesickness was a really big factor. Being away from home was tough going during those four weeks. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the training, once you get into the fitness and conditioning, it was a great experience. I’d be very grateful to Carlton for the opportunity. They’d followed me for a while and the way they kept in touch, and allowed me to make up my mind, is something I’d really admire."

Sheehan admits that being involved with the Cork senior squad this season helped sway him towards sticking with GAA. But despite having made up his mind soon after returning from Australia, he did not want to take the focus off Cork’s All-Ireland final preparations by making an announcement about his future.

"About two weeks after I came back, I had my mind made up that I was going to stay in Ireland. I got in touch with Carlton and was in contact with Setanta as well before the All-Ireland. But being involved with Cork before the All-Ireland, I didn’t want to affect the lads preparations. Being so young and being brought onto the Cork panel made my decision a lot easier. I’ll continue to do both hurling and football with club and college next year definitely. But being a part of the senior football panel this year, it’s likely that’ll it’ll be the football I’ll carry on doing next year for Cork."

Meanwhile Collingwood will continue to search for young talent on these shores despite yesterday’s confirmation that a second Irish player has decided to leave the club for home in the space of a week. Down’s Martin Clarke had already opted to leave to pursue his studies and play for his club and county and it seems now that he was joined on the same plane home by Armagh international rookie Kevin Dyas.

"We’ll continue to have a network operating for us in Ireland and if they see players they consider to be prospects we’ll still be positive," said Collingwood’s chief of football operations Geoff Walsh.

Dyas decision to quit was one reached by mutual consent with the ‘Pies’ and was made because of persistent injury troubles in Australia as well as an unshakeable bout of homesickness.

"It was not quite as unexpected as Marty," said Walsh. "Kevin tore his hamstring off the bone late last season and had to go through a six-month recovery period. He got back pretty well to play most of this season with the VFL (reserve team), but more so it was the difficulty with his restricted training program.

"I think he had some doubt in his mind, as did our medical people, as to whether he would stand a full, unrestricted pre-season. Given where he’s at, we all agreed Kevin would have needed to do every possible thing over the summer to get himself into an elite level of fitness. There was some doubt whether his training would allow him to do that."



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, September 30, 2009












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Read more: www.irishexaminer.com/sport/sheehan-rejects-carlton-chance-102179.html#ixzz0ScbbNaKU

[misteallaigh abú]

If it is true then it is a massive blow to the future of Kerry football, we cannot afford to lose players of their quality. Kerry and gaelic football in general, will be all the poorer for their departure.

[kerrygold]

By Donnchadh Boyle


Thursday October 01 2009

KERRY duo Tommy Walsh and David Moran are not going anywhere -- for the time being at least.

The Kerins O'Rahillys pair, who have been linked with a move to AFL side St Kilda, could yet have considerable commitments with their club who are in with a chance of being the Kingdom's representatives in the race for the All-Ireland club title -- despite the fact that they are out of the county championship.

Club sources are hopeful that the duo will stay on to complete the current campaign.

The Strand Road club face neighbours Ardfert in the club championship final on Sunday week and will be favourites to win that game.

And should they emerge victorious and a divisional side win the county championship -- as has been the case for the past five years -- the Tralee outfit would represent Kerry in the first round of the Munster club championship as divisional teams are not eligible to represent counties. Kerry's representatives start their campaign with a home tie against Cork champions Clonakilty on November 8.

With Moran's father, Kerry legend 'Ogie', manager of O'Rahillys and Walsh's father Sean heavily involved behind the scenes, the pair could find it hard to sever their links with the club in such a scenario -- as was the case for Tommy last year when he remained at home to play in a county championship final replay.

That decision effectively ended his chances of a move Down Under that year as it brought him past the AFL's international recruitment deadline.

Should O'Rahillys win the club championship on October 11, they could know if they are Kerry representatives as soon as seven days later at which stage there may be no club sides left in the county championships. Otherwise they will have to wait until the county final on November 1 to know their fate.

Man of the match in the All-Ireland final, Tom O'Sullivan, believes everything possible will be done to keep the pair at home.

"I don't think the boys are going to walk away from it," said the Rathmore man. "They'll be certainly coaxed into staying back I'd think anyway.

Rosy

"It's a big move for any young guy to go all the way out to Australia for a couple of years. They've a rosy enough life around here. They're winning their few All-Irelands. It's competitive here and I think they'll stay around. They'll be a huge loss if they do go of course."

[kerrygold]

Cooney plays down threat of AFL as duo eye move
By Brendan O’Brien

Thursday, October 01, 2009



THE president of the GAA claimed yesterday that the practice of AFL players signing young Gaelic footballers is "not a major issue".



Christy Cooney was speaking following reports that two Kerry players, Tommy Walsh and David Moran, are on the verge of signing a two-year international rookie contract with Aussie Rules outfit St Kilda.

Both players have been linked with such a move before.

"I have expressed my view previously that the whole thing about our players going to Australia and playing AFL is blown out of all proportion," said Cooney in Dublin.

"Something like four players have announced in the last week that they are coming back and we have about four or five now playing full-time AFL professional sport so it is not a major issue.

"We don’t have a great deal of players out there. People have their own free will. If they want to go and play professional football in the AFL, or professional soccer or professional rugby, then that is their decision.

"We have a bigger task in ensuring we are maximising our playing levels at home so one, two or three deciding to go out and play other sports… I wish them the best. We can’t and shouldn’t stand in anybody’s way."

Whatever about the bigger picture, Kerry defender Tom O’Sullivan accepted that Walsh and Moran face big decisions but stated his belief that both would remain on in Ireland.

"Kerry are there and thereabouts for the last nine years and I think they will be there for the next couple of years also," said O’Sullivan. "I don’t think that the boys are going to walk away from it.

"It is a big thing for a young guy to go over to Australia for a couple of years. I think they have a rosy enough life around here. They have a few All-Irelands. It is competitive back here and I think they’ll stay around. They’ll be a huge loss if they go, of course."

Kerry county chairman, Jerome Conway, says he knows nothing about reports linking Tommy Walsh and David Moran with AFL giants St Kilda.

"We haven’t had any contact and I haven’t been talking to them. Obviously we’d be hoping they’d stay with us and help us have another assault on the Sam Maguire."

Player agent Ricky Nixon is due to visit Ireland in the near future with a view to signing a handful of unidentified players but, as Cooney pointed out, it hasn’t been all one-way traffic between the two countries.

Down’s Martin Clarke and Armagh’s Kevin Dyas are both back home having terminated their ties with Collingwood while Kennelly and Michael Shields featured in this year’s All-Ireland final having also departed the AFL.

Much has been made of the difficulties facing young Irish players taking the plunge in Australia and, in fairness to Cooney, he spurned the temptation to say that those returning home served as some sort of cautionary tales.

"Maybe they do but I don’t know the circumstances and I would want to be fair to the people that are coming home.

"That’s their choice and we in the GAA wouldn’t want to put any pressure on them. They are coming home now to play Gaelic football again and I wish them every success with their clubs and counties. It’s great to have them back."

The GAA has previously held talks with their AFL counterparts about the possibility of establishing an age limit prior to which young Irish players cannot be approached by professional Australian outfits.

That idea is still on the table and is part of the brief held by the GAA’s Operations Manager Fergal McGill who will be one of those attending the next round of talks with the Australians some time around the New Year when the International Rules series will also be on the agenda.

And, while the GAA may be powerless to stop young players trying their hand in the AFL, they are mindful of the need to provide those who return home with the softest landing possible.

"We are looking at trying to create a kind of fund as well to support players that will be finished or seriously injured and had to come back home," Cooney added. "All those things have to be discussed but it is not as big an issue now."



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, October 01, 2009



Read more: www.examiner.ie/sport/gaa/cooney-plays-down-threat-of-afl-as-duo-eye-move-102253.html#ixzz0SfUTMMGu

[kerrygold]

I think Tom Sullivan has got it pretty spot on here with his last sentence.

Man of the match in the All-Ireland final, Tom O'Sullivan, believes everything possible will be done to keep the pair at home.

"I don't think the boys are going to walk away from it," said the Rathmore man. "They'll be certainly coaxed into staying back I'd think anyway.

Rosy

"It's a big move for any young guy to go all the way out to Australia for a couple of years. They've a rosy enough life around here. They're winning their few All-Irelands. It's competitive here and I think they'll stay around. They'll be a huge loss if they do go of course."

[ciarrai78]

I heard last night from someone "in the know" that Tommy was going out on contract in November and that David was going out with him on trial. Not good news if it's true........but I personally wish the lads well

[seamus]

Its in the Kerry's Eye this morning that they are going so it must be true!

[Deleted]

I wouldn't blame the lads for being intererested and what are they going to be doing for the next 9 months anyway.
The raft of Irish players recently coming back proves how difficult it is to make the breakthrough.
Really only Tadhg has been a success in the last decade. The likes of Setanta would have made as much staying at home when you include endorsements etc.

[kerrygold]

Theres a certain innocence about believing that Tommy will only stay for 6 or 9 months.

I don't expect to see him in the green and gold again if he goes.

[fivenarow]

If someone offered me a trip to OZ & pay me while I was out there at 20 yrs of age,he wouldn't have to ask me a second time.Both of them have u21 & senior AI medals in their back pockets which is more than fellows have in a lifetime & all at 20!!!
If they have any sense they'll go out & give it a lash for 6 months & see how they get on & if they don't like it or they miss the Sunday lunch in the narries clubhouse,well then they can always say that they tried it.
A day is a long time in politics so you can imagine how long a month is in oz without the comforts of home & the guys that have gone before them are testament to that.

[seamus]

Sept 30, 2009 19:48:35 GMT sambo said:

Let me see now!! You are 21 and single. You have a choice of living and working (maybe if you are lucky) in rain sodden Ireland, buying a three bed semi d in strand road, meet a few fat narrie chicks in Fabric, playing most of you club football in the winter, and getting 4 mins of football with Kerry. Alternatively you could play professional football in sun drenched Australia, rent a pad near bondi beach, date Aussie blondes .... I know where I would be heading and its not to the narries club house!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting perspective Sambo.

[sambo]

Assuming one has a sense of humour Seamus! At 21 years of age I would not have to be asked twice to go. My advice to them would be to give it a go.

[Dermot]

Talking about the Kerry boys going to OZ ..... I'm sure the like of this could be one of the reasons why Marty Clarke decided to come home.

Thats one of the worst "tackles" Ive ever seen.

I would say that no matter how good a GAA guy gets at their game in a shorth space of time, it takes years and years to learn all the sly parts of the game like being able to avoid sh1t like what happened in that clip.

I'm also fairly certain that a big lad like Tommy would probably come in for some "special" treatment. Very unfortunate but probably true.

I wish the boys luck but think they'd be better off staying put !

[Deleted]

Playing for Kerry and the chance to go on and win a handfull of celtic crosses is a far rosier scenario. The lifestye being suggested by some posters i.e. the house on Bondi beach, the truckloads of money is an illusion, the truth of the story is like in any sport until you make it your treated in a poor light. Also, ozzy rules as a game is inferior to our game so why play it. A kerryfootballer get's treated very well and looked after. I dunno what the great attraction is to be honest, as anyone who's spent time in Australia will know, it's not home. If it's something these two lads need to get off their chests then by all means go and have no regrets but I fear they're walking into an illusion conjured up by crafty sports agents.

[Johnnyb]

Anyone think the lads perhaps owe more to KOR than whats been offered to them by AFL?

[kerrygold]

Oct 1, 2009 19:00:04 GMT Johnnyb said:

Anyone think the lads perhaps owe more to KOR than whats been offered to them by AFL?

Agreed,if I was a Narrie I'd be gunning for Rickie Nixon.

Bring one is bad enough but to bring the home maker scraps the bottom of the pits.

[kerrygold]

Oct 1, 2009 18:31:48 GMT @feelo said:

Playing for Kerry and the chance to go on and win a handfull of celtic crosses is a far rosier scenario. The lifestye being suggested by some posters i.e. the house on Bondi beach, the truckloads of money is an illusion, the truth of the story is like in any sport until you make it your treated in a poor light. Also, ozzy rules as a game is inferior to our game so why play it. A kerryfootballer get's treated very well and looked after. I dunno what the great attraction is to be honest, as anyone who's spent time in Australia will know, it's not home. If it's something these two lads need to get off their chests then by all means go and have no regrets but I fear they're walking into an illusion conjured up by crafty sports agents.

They'll achieve buckets more by staying at home.

Going down under would be like Kaka leaving Brazilian football to play cricket in Pakistan.

[misteallaigh abú]

Oct 1, 2009 19:56:13 GMT kerrygold said:

Oct 1, 2009 18:31:48 GMT @feelo said:

Playing for Kerry and the chance to go on and win a handfull of celtic crosses is a far rosier scenario. The lifestye being suggested by some posters i.e. the house on Bondi beach, the truckloads of money is an illusion, the truth of the story is like in any sport until you make it your treated in a poor light. Also, ozzy rules as a game is inferior to our game so why play it. A kerryfootballer get's treated very well and looked after. I dunno what the great attraction is to be honest, as anyone who's spent time in Australia will know, it's not home. If it's something these two lads need to get off their chests then by all means go and have no regrets but I fear they're walking into an illusion conjured up by crafty sports agents.

They'll achieve buckets more by staying at home.

Going down under would be like Kaka leaving Brazilian football to play cricket in Pakistan.

Excellent analogy KG!

[Deleted]

Kaka has left Brazilian football to play football in Italy and Spain so I am not so sure about the analogy.