World Footy News

Injury to 2006 number one draft pick Bryce Gibbs has opened the door for Zach Tuohy to be recalled to the Carlton side for today's semi final against the West Coast Eagles in Perth. It is a huge compliment to his footy development after first playing the game in 2010 with the Northern Bullants, including playing in a losing grand final. After 10 AFL games this season with the Blues, last week he was emergency for the Blues before playing with the Bullants when he was not required. 

This week he re-joins countryman Setanta o'hAilpin who has settled back into the Blues side after an injury interupted season.  Returning some weeks ago from a hand injury that kept him out for many weeks, he had to come through the Northern Bullants VFL team.  While looking good as a goal scoring option up forward he has also been required to help out in the ruck position.  His versatility is being used to patch holes which is vital to the Blues who have had a number of injuries but makes settling into a set position difficult for him. 

It is expected that if the Blues win today and advance to the prelinary final next week against Geelong that Gibbs may be ready to return so it will require a special performance from Tuohy to maintain his place in the side.

The other Irishman still alive in the finals this week made his exit last night, chaired from the ground by his teammates after the Swans went down to Hawthorn at the MCG.  Tadhg Kennelly signed off with a nice goal for his club in the third quarter but the backman was unable to lift his club to a win to end his Sydney Swan's journey with a fairytale ending.  Speculation in the past weeks since he announced his retirement from the Swans has him linked to the GWS Giants for the 2012 season and his post match interview gave some indication that his Aussie rules oddessy may not be over as he mentioned "always being up for a challenge."

In other news on Irish players this week Pearce Hanley finished equal fourth in the Brisbane Lions best and fairest after his breakout season.  And we will be watching with interest what happens now with Tommy Walsh at St Kilda.  The big Irishman had a great season with Sandringham in the VFL but Ross Lyon seemed to be holding off on using him at St Kilda until 2012 despite a number of appropriate times he could have been inserted into the AFL this season.  But with Ross Lyon's shock departure to Fremantle and the Saints now with no coach, it remains to be seen how Walsh will be viewed/used under whoever takes over the reigns as coach.  Like o'hAilpin he is versatile and could be used as a key forward, back or as a second ruckman.