AFL agent hold recruitment camp

Aussie Rules agent Ricky Nixon hosted the latest AFL recruitment camp at Gormanston College today with players from across the country in attendance.

Derry's James Kielt, Roscommon's Donal Shine, Brian Sheridan of Meath, Donegal's Michael Murphy and Kieran Hughes of Monaghan were among those present for the trials.

Kielt made his Championship debut for Derry last year and is currently studying dentistry in Queen's University, Belfast.

He spent a fortnight in Australia in November 2008 on trial at two AFL clubs in Melbourne. Nixon has previously stated that the Kilrea clubman is high on his list.

"James Kielt is in the top three players I would love to get to Australia, James is the most knowledgeable kid in Ireland in AFL football," he said.

Shine was part of Roscommon's All-Ireland minor winning team of 2006 and claimed Sigerson Cup honours with DCU last weekend - a game which Nixon attended in Leixlip.

Sheridan took the man-of-the-match accolade in that final, with his 1-5 haul including the only goal of the game as DCU claimed a four-point win over UCC.

Hughes also has Sigerson Cup experience under his belt for UUJ, and has featured for the Monaghan senior side during their National League campaign this year.

Donegal target man Murphy did not feature in DCU's Sigerson Cup assault due to the ineligibility of freshers, but Murphy is unsurprisingly high on Nixon's wish list and the Young Footballer of the Year was present at today's trial.

Other counties that had players represented at the Gormanston get-together included Dublin, Tyrone, Cavan and Galway.

This is the third time Nixon has held an organised camp in Ireland.

Last year AFL trialists took part in a camp in Blanchardstown, while in 2008 the Breaffy House Hotel in Mayo was the venue for trials.