Setanta ‘committed to AFL’

CORK hurling fans must wait at least another two years to see Setanta O hAilpín returning to the county.

The former Young Hurler of the Year is determined to become a key component of the Carlton team bidding to challenge for AFL premiership glory next year. The fact that Brett Ratten and his coaching staff are keen to retain the services of the former All Star is a testament to O hAilpín’s grit, as he seemed destined for the Aussie Rules scrapheap eight months ago, following that infamous training ground bust-up with team-mate Cameron Cloke.

“He was that close to joining Aisake, in coming home last February when he was involved in that punch up in the training ground incident” older brother Seán Óg revealed this week.

“He was told to go home, the coach had a few harsh words to say. He was sent for a couple of weeks’ anger management and suspended for a month. During that month he decided it’s nearly over so I’ve got to change.

“I think he’s committed for another two years now.”

While it would have been desperately disappointing for him to have to return, Cork supporters would have been delighted by the prospect of the three O hAilpíns lining out for the Rebels.

“He always talks about (coming back),” Seán Óg admitted. “Definitely it is in the back of his mind. But every year that he stays out it just makes it (harder).”

However he believes that the 26-year-old can return to top flight hurling – though not without some difficulty. “Tadhg (Kennelly) made a great transition this year, (it was) Roy of the Rovers stuff. But Tadhg is translating to a game where there are similar skills.

“Hurling is (a world apart). Aisake for four years being out and coming back; he struggled to get the match sharpness and that hurling know-how, being at the right place at the right time with the right run and all that. So Setanta, if he is going to be eight years out, it will be very hard. He would love to come back but he still has unfinished business in Australia.”

The inability to nail down a specific position has been another problem for the Cork man down under.

He began life as a full-back having never played in defence in his life but as Marty Clarke discovered, players being eased into the game tend to be introduced in defence, as the attacking unit is based all around one strike forward.

“Not every person can be a stallion in the stable” says Seán Óg. “So Brendan Fevola is the main man and you just got to live off crumbs.”