Cross-code Carney set to give Ireland Euro boost

BRIAN CARNEY’S return to rugby league is set to provide Ireland with a major boost for the end-of-season European Nations Cup.

The former Wigan and Great Britain winger, who turns 33 next month, is to end his two-year stint in Irish rugby union, possibly as soon as this Saturday.

Carney is seeking a release from the two weeks left on his contract with the IRFU in order to make his debut for his new club Warrington against Catalans Dragons in Barcelona.

While he awaits a decision, Carney confirmed that he will make himself available for Ireland’s clashes with Serbia in Limerick on October 17 and the trip to Bridgend to take on Wales on November 1.

Carney’s last rugby league match was for Great Britain in the 2006 Tri-Nations Series, just before the national team was split four ways, initially for the World Cup and now for the Four Nations and the European Cup.

There was never any question of the Irishman switching his allegiance to England and his decision to throw in his lot with the Wolfhounds is a tremendous lift for coach Andy Kelly and team organisers Terry O’Connor and Barrie McDermott.

Carney, who made 19 appearances for Munster and won four caps for Ireland, was an interested spectator as the Irish took the Rugby League World Cup by storm, topping their group with a memorable win over Samoa before losing out to Fiji in the semi-final qualifier.

They must now revert to the second-tier of international rugby league but with the incentive of claiming a place in the 2011 Four Nations as well as the 2013 World Cup.

“It’s a very important concept and I’d love to see it developed even further,” said Carney.

“I know people have tried before but there was such a buzz out of the World Cup. Take it from me, people in Ireland like to see their team win and the effort the lads put in at the World Cup went down very well.

“There were full pages in the national newspapers, which was unheard of for rugby league. Terry O’Connor and Barrie Mac have put a tremendous effort into the game and I’d like to support them.”

Initially a Gaelic footballer, Carney took up professional rugby league after being spotted by Gateshead playing for a Dublin student team in 1999.

He spent a season at Hull following their merger with Gateshead and had five successful seasons with Wigan before joining Newcastle Knights in 2006.

However, he cut short his stay in Australia to switch codes with Munster and was a member of Ireland’s World Cup squad.

Now the wheel is set to turn full circle as he prepares to embark on his latest challenge with England coach Tony Smith’s Warrington.

“The approach came out of the blue,” he said. “But the minute I had that phone conversion with Tony, I had a great feeling and it went from there. It is a challenge after being away from the game for a couple of years.”