Homesick Heslin returns to Lake County

Westmeath football has been boosted by the return of John Heslin to Ireland after three months with AFL outfit Richmond.

The Australian club last night cited homesickness for Heslin’s decision.

The St Loman’s product is the second Irishman to leave the Tigers in six months, after Down’s Jamie O’Reilly chose to renew his studies at Queens University in Belfast after a two-year stint with the club. While Heslin’s return has been reported as “indefinite” and he remains contracted to Richmond, the 19-year-old will not be prevented from playing with club and county.