Kennelly backs Irish to shine in AFL after trials

Former Kerry and AFL star Tadhg Kennelly has backed Ireland's young players to continue to thrive in the Australian game following what he described as a hugely successful European combine in Dublin.

Kennelly, now an international talent manager for the AFL, saw 22 players aged 16-20 put through their paces at Dublin City University.

Speaking to the AFL website about the event, he predicted that players from Ireland would continue to make the move to Australia.

"The combine has been a huge success," Kennelly said. "It's well resourced, we're getting great results, and I'm sure we'll get one, maybe two players recruited next year."

Kilkenny minor hurling captain Darragh Joyce and Kerry's Michael Burns were amongst those who reportedly impressed during the trials.

Kennelly also mentioned the recent recruitment of Tyrone's Conor McKenna to Essendon and Kildare duo Sean Hurley and Paddy Brophy for Fremantle and West Coast, respectively, as proof that the conveyor belt of Irish talent to Oz would continue.

Kerry Padraig Lucey was also recently awarded a contract with the Geelong Cats following his stint on an Australian reality TV show, The Recruit, in which he competed for an AFL contract.

"The players picked the skills up so quickly you would think it was an under 18 team from Australia" - Tadhg Kennelly

Kennelly, who won an AFL title with the Sydney Swans in 2005, hailed the ability of the players at the combine to get up to speed quickly.

"The players picked the skills up so quickly you would think it was an under 18 team from Australia, so it was pretty impressive what they achieved in two days," he said.

"It shows Irish players can make the transition to the AFL, but you've also got to work out who can handle it mentally, who can adapt moving to the other side of the world."

Among the scouts at the combine was Carlton's national recruitment manager, Shane Rogers, who said his side were likely to add to the three players they already have at the club.

"I haven't been to the [European] combine before, but it has been very worthwhile," he said.

"I think we're in the market for another one now. Zach Tuohy and Ciaran Sheehan have both played AFL footy and Ciaran Byrne is another one on the way who has the attributes.

"The boys here have picked up the skills so quickly and they are willing to listen, which is really good."

Two of the potential draftees will be invited to the 2015 AFL draft combine. Clubs are also allowed to fly players to Australia to carry out their own testing.

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