Beware Aussie Rules ‘draft’ camp, warns Swans star Kennelly

IRELAND’S most successful Australian Rules convert, Tadhg Kennelly, has warned GAA clubs and players off a controversial new recruitment drive to find new Irish talent for AFL clubs.

Ricky Nixon, Australia’s most high-profile sports agent, last week met with representatives of five AFL clubs last week — all of whom have paid AUS$30,000 (€18,200) to sign up for the Irish recruiting scheme. There are plans for “draft” camps to be set up here — in either Dublin or Belfast — that will run the rule over a shortlist of up to 30 young Gaelic footballers.

But Kennelly is preaching caution to anyone contemplating becoming involved in the system.