Corkman Sheehan set for AFL debut on Saturday

Meticulous scrutiny of Australian football matches was a central factor in Ciarán Sheehan’s selection on the Carlton side for this Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast.

The former Cork footballer, who will wear the No 47 jersey, will make his AFL debut at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium, eight months after giving the game a second chance.

The Éire Óg product spent four weeks during the summer of 2009 training with Carlton, but had a change of heart about pursuing the professional lifestyle and opted to remain on Leeside instead. An All-Ireland SFC medal materialised the following summer, with Carlton renewing their interest in Sheehan off the back of his outstanding performance in last year’s International Rules series.