Setanta abandons 'chicken-legged' days

He may only be over a week back in Melbourne, but the Carlton Blues have already noticed a difference in Setanta Ó hAilpín - and it's not down to the presence of his younger brother at their training sessions.

The 2003 Hurler of the Year, who made his International Rules debut for Ireland last month, has obviously made a conscious effort to bulk up in his two months away from Aussie Rules.

"It's amazing where Setanta came from last year," commented the club's forward Brendan Fevola in the Herald Sun newspaper.

"Back then he was a skinny little chicken-legged kid from Ireland. Now, he's got some muscle and he's massive."

A stress fracture in his right foot prevented the 21-year-old Corkman from making his AFL Premiership debut last June, but Ó hAilpín's six foot six inch frame could see some senior action before the league's return next March.

Carlton, meanwhile, have officially confirmed Aisake Ó hAilpín's participation in one of their recent training sessions.

The club have "officially advised the AFL that Aisake will be training with the Blues" while holidaying in the area.

Coach Denis Pagan, who could be targeting the 19-year-old Na Piarsaigh star for next month's international draft, said: "It's still very early days with Aisake. It's really only been a very brief introduction.

"He didn't even complete all of the session.

"We'll certainly see how it goes for a while and see what happens from there."