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Story on www.hoganstand.com note that Setanta O hailpan is part Fijian Irishman named after one of Ireland's greatest legendary Celtic heroes. He was an absolute sensation in last year's Hurling Championship and named Hurler of the Year despite taking up the game late. The article:
O hAilpin deal could pave the way for others
Setanta O hAilpin could soon be joined in Australia by fellow GAA stars Steven McDonnell, Sean Marty Lockhart, Graham Canty and Ciaran McManus - all of whom have been offered lucrative contacts to play Australian Rules football.
Young Hurler of the Year O hAilpin is expected to sign a two-year deal with AFL club Carlton on Wednesday (December 3) after he impressed in a trial last weekend. And now it has emerged that four other top GAA stars have caught the eye of AFL outfits.
Melbourne-based Western Bulldogs have expressed a real interest in signing Footballer of the Year McDonnell, who received rave reviews from the Australian media during the recent International Rules series. While the player himself had denied any knowledge of a possible deal, it?s believed he has been given until Friday to make up his mind.
Sydney Swans - the club of former Kerry underage player Tadhg Kennelly - are believed to be hunting Derry ace Lockhart, while another veteran of the International Rules series, Offaly?s Ciaran McManus, is a target for the Brisbane Lions.
Melbourne Football Club, with whom former Dublin minor Jim Stynes achieved so much success, are also believed to be chasing Graham Canty, who captained the Irish International Rules side this year. However, it is understood that the Cork star is set to resist any overtures.
Meanwhile, towering Cork full forward Colin Corkery - who played with Carlton for a short spell in the early 1990s - is convinced that O hAilpin has whats it takes to make it Down Under.
?I?d be confident Setanta will make it. He has the height, which is a big help and they will build him up,? he said.
Corkery said he was surprised to see Sydney-born O hAilpin leave Ireland, but understands the lure of life as a professional sportsman in Australia.
?I was totally shocked to be honest when I heard about it. With the new marketing and endorsements now available to footballers and hurlers here, there is a good living to be made from the whole thing and he would be to the fore in it.
?If you do make it Down Under, it is great and things can go really well for you. It?s no longer a small penny game and players - including those on the draft lists - are far better looked after. However, if you don?t and this is something that has to be considered, it is not easy to come home, readjust and just pick up where you left off.
?I was lucky I managed to do it and enjoy a good innings with the county team, but it doesn?t always work out like that,? the Nemo Rangers clubman warned.
O hAilpin deal could pave the way for others
Setanta O hAilpin could soon be joined in Australia by fellow GAA stars Steven McDonnell, Sean Marty Lockhart, Graham Canty and Ciaran McManus - all of whom have been offered lucrative contacts to play Australian Rules football.
Young Hurler of the Year O hAilpin is expected to sign a two-year deal with AFL club Carlton on Wednesday (December 3) after he impressed in a trial last weekend. And now it has emerged that four other top GAA stars have caught the eye of AFL outfits.
Melbourne-based Western Bulldogs have expressed a real interest in signing Footballer of the Year McDonnell, who received rave reviews from the Australian media during the recent International Rules series. While the player himself had denied any knowledge of a possible deal, it?s believed he has been given until Friday to make up his mind.
Sydney Swans - the club of former Kerry underage player Tadhg Kennelly - are believed to be hunting Derry ace Lockhart, while another veteran of the International Rules series, Offaly?s Ciaran McManus, is a target for the Brisbane Lions.
Melbourne Football Club, with whom former Dublin minor Jim Stynes achieved so much success, are also believed to be chasing Graham Canty, who captained the Irish International Rules side this year. However, it is understood that the Cork star is set to resist any overtures.
Meanwhile, towering Cork full forward Colin Corkery - who played with Carlton for a short spell in the early 1990s - is convinced that O hAilpin has whats it takes to make it Down Under.
?I?d be confident Setanta will make it. He has the height, which is a big help and they will build him up,? he said.
Corkery said he was surprised to see Sydney-born O hAilpin leave Ireland, but understands the lure of life as a professional sportsman in Australia.
?I was totally shocked to be honest when I heard about it. With the new marketing and endorsements now available to footballers and hurlers here, there is a good living to be made from the whole thing and he would be to the fore in it.
?If you do make it Down Under, it is great and things can go really well for you. It?s no longer a small penny game and players - including those on the draft lists - are far better looked after. However, if you don?t and this is something that has to be considered, it is not easy to come home, readjust and just pick up where you left off.
?I was lucky I managed to do it and enjoy a good innings with the county team, but it doesn?t always work out like that,? the Nemo Rangers clubman warned.