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Past Irish Watch

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Lions sign promising Irish junior
10:28 AM Wed 3 October, 2007
By Catherine Murphy

THE BRISBANE Lions look set to welcome the arrival of another Irish recruit, with Mayo teenager Pierce Hanley’s team manager John O’Mahony confirming that the talented young player has accepted a two-year contract from the Queensland club.
The Lions already have Colm Begley on their books.
Hanley’s imminent departure is a big blow to his county as, unlike previous Irish recruits, he was already making an impact at senior level and had played a crucial role in the county’s senior football campaign.
Speaking to Irish newspaper the Evening Herald, O’Mahony admitted that although he wished Hanley the best for his future, he couldn’t help but be disappointed at losing the young star.
“As I said so many times, he had a big future ahead of him playing for Mayo. He has come up through the ranks and starred at minor (under-18) and under-21 level,” O’Mahony said.
“You would have been looking forward to him progressing in his career, but that’s on hold certainly. Obviously we wish him the best of luck but he is a loss to us, no doubt about it.”
The news comes just weeks before the GAA and the AFL are due to meet to discuss and revival of the international rules series and the scouting issue.
However O’Mahony, who is one of the highest profile county managers in Ireland, believes there is not much the GAA can do to halt the march of young players Down Under.
“The frustrating thing from a GAA point of view is that they cannot compete with the professional game. It’s not an even playing field.”
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I've heard rumours that we've signed another Irishman (in addition to Hanley).

His name is John O Loughlin and he is from Begley's county of Laois.

Can anyone confirm?

EDIT: According to a GAA Message board, it is a FALSE rumour. Link here.
 
TheBrownDog said:
I've heard rumours that we've signed another Irishman (in addition to Hanley).

His name is John O Loughlin and he is from Begley's county of Laois.

Can anyone confirm?

EDIT: According to a GAA Message board, it is a FALSE rumour. Link here.
Click to expand...

I can confirm* that it is a rumour at this stage. Nothing has been signed yet.

(*in a conversation with the club)
 

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Thanks mayofans, top stuff. :thumbsu:

It was a little hard to tell, but which of the plays in that clip were by Pierce? Or all of them? ;)

It must be tough for you guys to lose one of your top prospects, but glad to see you have listed us as your AFL club. I'm sure you'll be following his progress with great interest, as will I. :)
 
Mayo youngster Hanley joins exodus to Aussie Rules

Friday October 05 2007

JOHN O'Mahony has identified the international rules under 17 series as the chief recruitment ground for the growing number of young GAA players being signed by AFL clubs.

Mayo manager O'Mahony has confirmed that his county's rising star Pierce Hanley has become the latest to pitch for a career in the paid ranks in Australia.

Hanley, who was to undertake a scholarship in DCU, has instead put pen to paper for Brisbane Lions on a rookie contract.

He will link up with Colm Begley in Brisbane and bring to eight the number of ex--GAA stars pursuing professional careers in Australia.

O'Mahony believes the under 17 series, which has been placed in cold storage along with the senior series because of last year's disciplinary chaos, offers the chief shop window for the recruitment drive.

"Much more than the senior series this is the place where talent is most identifiable to Australian clubs because the players are at the age that they want them. Most of the senior players that play the series would be considered too old to cross codes," said O'Mahony.

Hanley was one of the Irish stars of the 2005 series and makes his move just months after breaking into the Mayo first 15.

"No doubt he's a huge loss. There was no pressure placed on him. We sought to advise him but you realise the motivation behind these players when they decide they want to go. It's the chance at a professional sporting life in a nice country."

Earlier this week Armagh's Kevin Dyas confirmed he would be heading for Collingwood where Martin Clarke has already made an impact, while Carlow's Brendan Murphy will link up with Tadgh Kennelly at Sydney Swans.

GAA concerns over the flow of players in the last 12 months are inevitable but there are little or no preventative measures they can take.

The GAA president Nickey Brennan outlined this week that he would be having informal talks with the AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou about the current status of the series. l Andy Shortall has been confirmed as Laois football selector for 2008.

Shortall has agreed to link up with Laois manager Liam Kearns, just six months after stepping down as manager with Carlow.

He left Carlow after a disappointing start to the NFL, a malaise that they didn't recover from for the rest of the season.

Kearns has been in the market for two new selectors since the departure of Sean Dempsey and Tommy Conroy who worked with him this year.
It is understood that the former Laois player Leo Turley was in the frame up to recently but withdrew his interest. Dermot Murphy, a former Laois player, will complete Kearns' backroom team for 2008.
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http://www.independent.ie/sport/oth...ley-joins-exodus-to-aussie-rules-1116194.html

So when is Handles getting his own thread?
 

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Carlton? I thought Brendan said that if he were ever to consider trying AFL again, it would be to Brisbane because Colm's his friend, or something along those lines...
 
BigCat2 said:
Carlton? I thought Brendan said that if he were ever to consider trying AFL again, it would be to Brisbane because Colm's his friend, or something along those lines...
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Could be quite possible that we aren't willing to give him another go.

He's tearing it up in the GAA, but he had his chance to be a Lion, and wussed out.

He's too old now.
 
TheBrownDog said:
Could be quite possible that we aren't willing to give him another go.

He's tearing it up in the GAA, but he had his chance to be a Lion, and wussed out.

He's too old now.
Click to expand...

Good point first up.

But too old at 21? We chased Cavanagh who was 23 IIRC...

Tall athletic player at 21, still plenty of room for improvement.
 
Fairley said:
is he going to be on our senior list next year or what?
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He would have signed an "international rookie" contract, so Hanley will only be able to be promoted to the senior list after a long-term injury to a listed player, just like any other rookie.
 
Fairley said:
So how old is hanley? is he going to be on our senior list next year or what?
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If Colm can't get on the senior list, no chance Hanley will be - but Hanley will be given time to find his feet as an International Rookie - don't expect too much in the first year - guts like Begley and Clarke are exceptions to the rule - but if he does come on quicker; great - IIRC from an article earlier this year, someone was commenting that Colm was well more advanced than Tadgh after 1-2 years.

I still expect Colm to be elevated by the time the last list lodgement occurs (whenever that is).
 

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