AFL likely to maintain Irish draft

Tadhg Kennelly believes AFL clubs will continue to look at Ireland as a potential source of recruits, pinpointing Kildare duo Daniel Flynn and Paddy Brophy along with Kerry’s Pádraig Lucey as bright prospects.

Kennelly has just returned to Australia after running the rule over some of the country’s brightest GAA talents.

There had been speculation that Ciarán Kilkenny’s decision to turn his back on the professional code, just weeks after linking up with Hawthorn, might cool interest in Irish players.