Parnells switch may be on cards for Laois' Begley

Former Aussie Rules Player and current Laois senior footballer Colm Begley will confirm this week whether he will line out for Dublin club side Parnells this year.

The Stradbally native ended a four-year stint in the AFL last October at St Kilda, having initially signed for the Brisbane Lions.

Begley is currently part of the Laois setup for their O'Byrne Cup opener against last year's Sigerson Cup finalists DIT this Saturday night at Graiguecullen.

However at club level there is mounting speculation that Begley will leave his native club, with whom he won a Laois Senior Football Championship in 2005, and join fellow Laois colleagues Darren Rooney and Colm Parkinson at the Northside outfit.

The 24-year-old is expected to announce his intentions tomorrow, having declined to comment on the situation yesterday.

There is a strong tradition of Laois players transferring to Dublin clubs, with Rooney and Parkinson switching allegiance to Parnells last year, while Begley's Stradbally colleague Greg Ramsbottom along with defender Tom Kelly have lined out for Round Towers, Clondalkin in the past.

Begley's inclusion in the Laois squad is a huge lift to football in the O'Moore county after the recent decision by Joe Higgins to end his career at the age of 30.

The St Joseph's defender will take up the role as manager of the Laois ladies senior football team for 2010.