Joyce poised to join AFL as Swans come calling

Kilkenny are on the verge of losing one of their most promising starlets to the AFL.

Minor hurler Darragh Joyce, brother of senior defender Kieran, is close to signing for the Sydney Swans.

Joyce, just turned 16, has attracted huge interest from Tadhg Kennelly’s former club playing for New Ross school Good Counsel in this year’s Leinster Colleges football championship.

It is understood the 6ft 2in Rower-Inistioge player and his family have already met Swans officials in Dublin and a deal is believed to be imminent.

Given his age, Joyce hadn’t expected to be part of the minor panel this year but started in the half-back line against Wexford in their recent Leinster MHC loss.

The loss of Joyce would mark the first time since Setanta Ó hAilpín that a player predominantly skilled in hurling has been recruited by an AFL outfit.

More concerning, though, is the fact Joyce has been earmarked at such an early age.

The average age of the group that attended Kennelly’s camp in London last month was 19 where Kildare pair Daniel Flynn and Paddy Brophy impressed.

Meanwhile, Pearce Hanley has backed the possibility of Australia fielding an all-indigenous team for the international rules series in October.

AFL boss, Andrew Demetriou has suggested a team made up entirely of indigenous players could make the trip to Ireland on a “one-off” basis.

“I reckon it’d be a good spectacle,” said Hanley. “We have a lot of whippets back in Ireland and obviously the indigenous boys are all very quick and skilful so hopefully that would make for a very good game.”