Poachers worry Irish
31 July 2007
Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
ANGER is brewing in Ireland as AFL clubs step up poaching raids on young Gaelic stars.
The Brisbane Lions are leading the charge, approaching towering 18-year-old Carlow midfielder Brendan Murphy.
Murphy has confirmed he is willing to travel to Australia for a post-season trial with the Lions.
Spurred by the instant success of Gaelic convert Martin Clarke at Collingwood, other clubs are also circling.
County Meath stars Shane O'Rourke and Kevin Reilly and Laois full-forward Conor Meredith have also attracted attention.
County boards in Ireland are becoming increasingly restless about the threat of losing their best talent.
Poaching is likely to become the hottest issue when the GAA and AFL meet in October - overtaking the future of the International Rules Series.
GAA secretary of County Carlow Tommy O'Neill last night said it would be "heart-wrenching" if Murphy was lured to the AFL.
Murphy, a 194cm 18-year-old, is considered the most exciting young talent in Ireland. His loss would be a huge blow to the minnow county, which has a population of only 35,000.
"He's very good. He was in the Leinster final for us over here a couple of weeks ago and he was best player on the field by a mile," O'Neill. "He's very slight, but full of skill - left foot and right foot.
"It's one of the downsides over here of guys being so good that they're being looked at. It is heart-wrenching here, because we're small."
Lions football manager Graeme Allan and recruiting manager Craig Brittain recently returned from a talent-spotting trip to Ireland and Murphy is the No. 1 priority.
"Yes, we have invited him over to have a look at our facilities and spend some time over here," Brisbane chief executive Michael Bowers said last night.
And the Lions, convinced Ireland is a fertile recruiting ground, are poised to invite others for testing.
"There are a couple of other people we've talked to and said 'you should pop over and say hello'," Bowers said.
Although some in Ireland encourage the Australian adventure, there is growing resistance.
Gaelic football's ruling body, the GAA, does not want recruiting to become a free-for-all with ad-hoc trials and camps.
The Lions narrowly lost Clarke to Collingwood and two years ago lured Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley.
Quigley returned home, but Begley played a part in Brisbane's demolition of Collingwood on Saturday night.
Reilly, 19, is believed to be strongly in Brisbane's sights. He played on Sydney's Barry Hall during last year's International Rules series and is understood to be keen for a trial.
Under AFL rules, clubs can select Irish players as international rookies - as long as they have turned 18.
Sydney coach Paul Roos yesterday predicted recruiting would flourish with International Rules now in recess.
"If the series doesn't go ahead I would say that the wealthier clubs will put a lot of resources into Ireland," Roos said.
The changes in AFL to a more running-style game has opened the door and made it more attractive for the amateur gaelic players, with five already with AFL clubs.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22162358%5E20322,00.html
31 July 2007
Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
ANGER is brewing in Ireland as AFL clubs step up poaching raids on young Gaelic stars.
The Brisbane Lions are leading the charge, approaching towering 18-year-old Carlow midfielder Brendan Murphy.
Murphy has confirmed he is willing to travel to Australia for a post-season trial with the Lions.
Spurred by the instant success of Gaelic convert Martin Clarke at Collingwood, other clubs are also circling.
County Meath stars Shane O'Rourke and Kevin Reilly and Laois full-forward Conor Meredith have also attracted attention.
County boards in Ireland are becoming increasingly restless about the threat of losing their best talent.
Poaching is likely to become the hottest issue when the GAA and AFL meet in October - overtaking the future of the International Rules Series.
GAA secretary of County Carlow Tommy O'Neill last night said it would be "heart-wrenching" if Murphy was lured to the AFL.
Murphy, a 194cm 18-year-old, is considered the most exciting young talent in Ireland. His loss would be a huge blow to the minnow county, which has a population of only 35,000.
"He's very good. He was in the Leinster final for us over here a couple of weeks ago and he was best player on the field by a mile," O'Neill. "He's very slight, but full of skill - left foot and right foot.
"It's one of the downsides over here of guys being so good that they're being looked at. It is heart-wrenching here, because we're small."
Lions football manager Graeme Allan and recruiting manager Craig Brittain recently returned from a talent-spotting trip to Ireland and Murphy is the No. 1 priority.
"Yes, we have invited him over to have a look at our facilities and spend some time over here," Brisbane chief executive Michael Bowers said last night.
And the Lions, convinced Ireland is a fertile recruiting ground, are poised to invite others for testing.
"There are a couple of other people we've talked to and said 'you should pop over and say hello'," Bowers said.
Although some in Ireland encourage the Australian adventure, there is growing resistance.
Gaelic football's ruling body, the GAA, does not want recruiting to become a free-for-all with ad-hoc trials and camps.
The Lions narrowly lost Clarke to Collingwood and two years ago lured Colm Begley and Brendan Quigley.
Quigley returned home, but Begley played a part in Brisbane's demolition of Collingwood on Saturday night.
Reilly, 19, is believed to be strongly in Brisbane's sights. He played on Sydney's Barry Hall during last year's International Rules series and is understood to be keen for a trial.
Under AFL rules, clubs can select Irish players as international rookies - as long as they have turned 18.
Sydney coach Paul Roos yesterday predicted recruiting would flourish with International Rules now in recess.
"If the series doesn't go ahead I would say that the wealthier clubs will put a lot of resources into Ireland," Roos said.
The changes in AFL to a more running-style game has opened the door and made it more attractive for the amateur gaelic players, with five already with AFL clubs.
Source: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22162358%5E20322,00.html
), he later went on to play for Manchester United and was the first player in History to be sent off during an F.A Cup Final!! He left Manchester United in 1988.
