Pastures new for Setanta in Sydney

SETANTA Ó hAilpín has been handed another opportunity to become an established AFL player after new franchise, Greater Western Sydney selected him in the AFL draft at Homebush yesterday.

The move came as no surprise given that GWS head coach Kevin Sheedy had signalled his interest in Ó hAilpín on a number of occasions since his release by Carlton.

The Blues had been forced by recruitment rules to shed a player from their list and admitted that, despite playing well in their two finals this year, Ó hAilpín (28) was five years older than Paul Bower and it militated against him.

The player himself argues that, having only taken up Aussie Rules eight years ago, he has plenty of improvement still in him.

Ó hAilpín was picked up at number 79 in the draft and will play a key role for the rookie outfit in what is sure to be a difficult first season, if the Gold Coast Suns’ experience in the last campaign is anything to go by.

The Corkman will offer plenty of experience, as well as versatility, with his ability to play in attack or defence.

Former International Rules boss, Sheedy is backing Ó hAilpín to add significantly to his 80 games and 67 goals, while also helping GWS tap into the Irish market in Sydney that had so long been the preserve of the Swans, with Tadhg Kennelly on their list.

“He’s a very, very big chance of achieving success,” said Sheedy.

“We are hoping that we’ll now get all of the Irish community in Western Sydney to come out and support us next season.

“I think he can probably be like Jason Blake at times ... a guy who has played nearly 200 games, pinch-hitting in the ruck, a little down forward and down back.

“Not many players at AFL level were re-drafted, only two or three, probably sending a message out to players that you really want to knuckle down and get your career right.

“I’ve only spoken to Setanta a couple of times, but he’s always been interesting to talk to.”

Sheedy also said that rescuing the former young hurler of the year might make him a little more popular in Ireland after his term as head coach of the Australian International Rules team, even though his problems tended to be more with the Irish media than anyone else.

“Just tell the Irish that I still love them,” he joked.

Ó hAilpín will not be the only Irishman involved with GWS after former Cavan player, Nicholas Walsh joined up to become the club’s high-performance coach recently.

Meanwhile, Ó hAilpín’s former club has poured cold water on reports they have offered deals to two Irish youngsters following a recent trial at the University of Limerick.

Dublin prodigy, Ciarán Kilkenny as well as Louth starlet, Ciarán Byrne were reported to have been offered two-year contracts but Carlton say this is not the case, even though Byrne revealed on his Facebook page he had received an offer.

“Club coaches travelled to Ireland recently and held a training camp for about 20 youngsters” a spokesperson confirmed.

“At this stage, the club has not made any offers to any of the players.”

Others who attended the trial included Kildare seniors Sean Hurley and Padraig Fogarty, Kilkenny’s Dublin minor team-mates Jack McCaffrey and Emmet Ó Conghaile, Offaly talent Peter Cunningham, Brian O’Driscoll and Cathal Vaughan from Cork as well as Tipperary’s All-Ireland minor winning trio, Dylan Fitzelle, Ian Fahy and Michael Quinlivan.