Meredith poised for Laois return

NEW Laois boss Justin McNulty is likely to have the services of Conor Meredith next season after the former minor star was released by AFL side North Melbourne yesterday.

Meredith has come to the end of his two-year international rookie contract and the Kangaroos have elected not to renew terms with the 21-year-old.

A stand-out forward for the county, scoring three goals in Laois’s two-point defeat of Carlow in the Leinster MFC final three years ago, he first came to the attention of Brisbane Lions coach Graeme Allan playing for DCU.

The O’Dempsey’s teenager was on the brink of joining fellow Laois man Colm Begley and Pearce Hanley from Mayo in Queensland but a change of head coach saw the move fall through.

An invitation to attend a trial with Richmond and North Melbourne, through Ricky Nixon’s Irish scouting network, earned him a move to the Roos in November 2008. While impressing coaches with his hard work, Meredith never threatened to p2lay an AFL game. He was a solid performer with the reserves at Werribee Tigers, an affiliate of North’s, but made little impact with the senior team.

Meanwhile, Tadhg Kennelly should be available for Sydney’s home preliminary final against Setanta Ó hAilpín’s Carlton, having missed the victory over Pearce Hanley’s Brisbane at the weekend with a “tweaked” knee.

Coach Paul Roos said Kennelly was “just a bit sore while running” and given his history of quick recovery, is likely to be available.

Ó hAilpín is not expected to be in the Blues squad after seeing his form taper off following a brilliant start to the season.

The Corkman has not played for seven weeks.