Lilywhites’ young stars Flynn and Hurley set for AFL trials

Kildare stars Daniel Flynn and Sean Hurley are to have trials with AFL clubs.

The Johnstownbridge pair were key figures in the Lilywhites’ Leinster U21 championship-winning team this year and were regulars on Kieran McGeeney’s senior team throughout the league and championship.

But the duo are to head to Australia in November to be put through their paces. Flynn (20) heads to an unnamed Melbourne-based club while Hurley (21) will train with Fremantle, near Perth. Fremantle were originally alerted to Hurley during the AFL Draft Combine last year, which he attended along with Derry youngster, Emmet Bradley. Recruitment manager, Brad Lloyd attended a number of Kildare’s U21 games to scout Hurley and called to his home afterwards.

Sources are remaining tightlipped about which club Flynn will train with but it is understood that he had been planning to travel to Australia later this year to visit two brothers who are working in the country.

They are part of a sizeable group of young players given their heads by Kieran McGeeney in 2013, with Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin, Paddy Brophy, David Hyland, Mark Donnellan and Jonathan Byrne all making their senior championship debuts this year, along with Flynn. Hurley made his senior championship bow in 2011.

For the immediate future Hurley and Flynn’s focus will be with Johnstownbridge and their quest to gain promotion to the senior ranks.