Quinn the latest Irish AFL player to be axed

THE number of Irish players listed by AFL clubs next year was reduced to eight yesterday as Essendon showed Michael Quinn the door.

Quinn has been let go in the same week that Setanta Ó hAilpín, Jamie O’Reilly and Chris McKaigue have been axed by their respective clubs. The Killoe talent spent three years with the Bombers but his fortunes declined considerably in the most recent campaign, when he failed to break into the Melbourne club’s senior panel even once under new coach James Hird.

Quinn was Essendon’s first international recruit ever at the end of 2008 and he made a sensational start to his career in round 2 of the 2009 season, just a matter of weeks after playing in his first Aussie Rules game.

In doing so, he smashed Marty Clarke’s record for making the quickest debut by a former GAA player. It was the quality of the performance that raised expectations though, as the then 19-year-old used his pace and evasive skills to rack up a remarkable 20 possessions.

Quinn finished the season with a respectable six games but managed only two last year, although he was named as player of the year for the reserves, Bendigo Bombers at the conclusion of their VFL campaign. He was unable to get close to that form in the last term though and was always in danger of being cut when his contract ran out. Longford manager, Glenn Ryan is sure to be keeping tabs on the situation given the relatively small pool of talent available to him.

Meanwhile Setanta Ó hAilpín will certainly be pursuing this route, with any thoughts of making a dramatic return to the Cork colours firmly on the back-burner.

“Setanta’s got unfinished business,” said the 28-year-old’s agent, Michael Quinlan. “He’s not going anywhere.

“Clubs are going to be able to pick Setanta. He’s going to be available in the draft and there’ll be no picks other than the pick used required.

“His last game of football was a preliminary final so he must be offering something. Sometimes things happen for a reason and maybe there’s an opportunity elsewhere for him that’s going to prolong his career.”