Dub starlet switches to Aussie Rules

Ciaran Kilkenny, one of Dublin GAA's best young talents, has agreed to switch codes and join Australian Rules football club Hawthorn.

The news has broken on the eve of Hawthorn's AFL Premiership Grand final against Sydney Swans. Dublin minor football manager Dessie Farrell has described the youngster's move Down Under as 'a massive loss' to Dublin GAA.

Farrell, who managed Kilkenny when he was a minor last year, told the Evening Herald: "You can only anticipate how great he would have gone on to be for Dublin, so from that point of view, it's a sad day.

"From his own point of view and that of his family, I'd be delighted for him. Sport is his life and he has devoted himself to it.

"He's just one of these young lads with enormous talent and a huge depth of knowledge across a range of sports and he has the talent and the tools to back it up.

"To be identified and hand picked by a team in another code is a huge honour for him and he deserves great credit for that.

"It's testament to how he carries himself and how he conducts himself and I can only wish him the very best."

The Castleknock dual player had a rapid rise up the ranks, particularly with the Dublin footballers - playing for the minors, Under-21s and seniors all in the space of a year.

He had two impressive years with the Dublin minors under Val Andrews and Farrell, and was an All-Ireland Under-21 medal winner last May in Jim Gavin's high-rated team.

Kilkenny finished the U-21 Championship as the Dubs' top scorer with 2-30 (0-8f) and was chosen as the Cadbury's Hero of the Future award winner.

He completed his Leaving Cert exams in early summer before being one of the Under-21 players to be added to the Dublin senior panel by then manager Pat Gilroy.

The young forward made his bow for Gilroy's men in their Leinster semi-final win over Wexford and had his first start in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo, standing in for the injured Alan Brogan.

Kilkenny had come to the attention of Australian Rules scouts before that, with Carlton Blues and Hawthrown leading the chase for his signature.

He had a successful trial back in February - organised by Tadhg Kennelly - and was offered a contract by Carlton after catching their attention.

But a trial in recent weeks with the Hawks convinced Kilkenny to plump for Hawthorn and he has agreed terms with the Premiership finalists, believed to be for an initial two-year period.

The UCD student will head to Melbourne in the coming months to begin his new oval ball career.