Kilkenny gets all-clear to play for Castleknock

Dublin tyro Ciarán Kilkenny is eligible to line out for Castleknock in this weekend’s All-Ireland junior club football semi-final against Kenmare in Mitchelstown on Sunday.

There had been some doubts about the 19-year-old’s involvement in the game due to a release clause in his previous contract with AFL club Hawthorn Tigers.

The dual player missed out on Castleknock’s Leinster JFC final win over St Fintan’s of Wexford and All-Ireland quarter-final victory over St Peter’s of Manchester having began his rookie deal in Melbourne.

However, he had been involved in all of the west Dublin club’s games up to then.

level.

Earlier this month, Kilkenny took the decision to opt out of his professional contract with Hawthorn after just eight weeks, citing his love for Gaelic games.

He wrote: “Sport has always been something I did for enjoyment and I have found that it’s not something I can do merely because it’s my job.

“The passion I feel for hurling and football is not transferable to any other sport and seeing my neighbours and team mates happy when we do well is reward enough.”

Kilkenny’s decision was welcomed in most quarters in the GAA although Wexford footballer Adrian Morrissey tweeted: “In my opinion anyone who rejects a professional contract in Oz to come back here and play GAA needs their head examined #hardship”

At county level, Kilkenny has already confirmed he will be concentrating on senior football and U21 hurling this year.

Castleknock, who were established just 15 years ago, will this weekend attempt to become the first Dublin club to reach an All-Ireland JFC final.

Since the competition’s inception in 2002, Kerry teams have won the competition a record five times.