Sheehan set for Aussie Rules stint

Cork forward Ciaran Sheehan is set to join Australian Rules club Carlton Blues after next year's Championship campaign.

The Eire Og clubman will link up with the Melbourne outfit next October for pre-season training before commencing his AFL career in 2012.

Sheehan previously undertook a four-week trial with the Blues back in 2009, but returned home and established himself as a regular starter for the Rebels this year.

Blues general manager Steve Icke confirmed that Sheehan will join the club ahead of the 2012 campaign.

He believes that Sheehan's All-Ireland SFC success so early in his career was a factor in his decision to move Down under.

"I think that's part of it. It's a box ticked I suppose...to have won an All-Ireland medal as a 19-year-old is a great achievement," said Icke.

But the Carlton boss was also keen to add that Sheehan was not in a position to join next season due to his studies at Cork IT.

"He's in the second year of a sports marketing course, so he'd like to finish next year's term. He wants to be able to have a career outside football which is important."

Ex-Cork hurler Setanta O hAilpin and Zach Tuohy of Laois are current members of the Carlton squad, and O hAilpin's younger brother Aisake has also been on their books.