Time runs out on Carlton's chase of Quigley

Brendan Quigley will continue to line out for Timahoe and Laois next year after Australian Rules club Carlton Blues missed out on signing the talented 21-year-old as an international rookie.

The Blues were weighing up the possibilities of signing Quigley and received confirmation from the AFL last Friday that the young midfielder, despite his previous stint as a international rookie with Brisbane Lions, would be eligible for the forthcoming international rookie draft.

However, after talks with Carlton, Quigley opted to complete his electrician's apprenticeship, which kept him in Ireland until November 30, meaning he would not be able to undergo a trial with the Melbourne club before the draft's deadline of next Tuesday.

Carlton's Football Operations manager Stephen Icke said: "The bottom line is he's not going to come, there's just not enough time in between when he'd be available to come and the rookie draft, which is next Tuesday.

"Based on the fact that Michael Shields (from Cork) excelled and was able to pick up the game quicker than we had anticipated and the fact that Brendan had locked into his apprenticeship, which we had encouraged him to do, meant that we just didn't have enough time."

While Shields links up with Setanta and Aisake O hAilpin at the Blues, Carlton will continue to monitor Quigley's progress in the Gaelic football world and he could yet be the fourth Irishman at the club.

Icke added: "We haven't planned for it but anything's possible. Brendan won't be too old next year, he's only 21 and rookies need to be under 23.

"A lot of things can change in six months or twelve months so I'm not going to speculate other than we'll continue to watch Brendan's progress and keep in contact with him."