World Footy News

Irish Australian Rules footballer Padraig Lucey has been snapped up by Geelong for two years as an international rookie. As part of the Ireland Warriors men’s team at this year’s International Cup in Melbourne last month, Padraig has managed to catch the attention of recruiters in a couple of ways.

Not only has he been a contestant on the FOX 8 television show The Recruit, he has also come from a successful International Cup performance for Ireland. In his five games, Padraig booted 14 goals, including impressive bags of five against highly fancied Nauru and a huge six goals against France. He also featured amongst the best players for Ireland in many matches.

According to the Herald Sun article by Adam Baldwin, “Geelong’s ruck crisis is set to see it turn to an Irishman who was last week delisted from a reality television series.
The Herald Sun can reveal Padraig Lucey — a part-time pool lifeguard from County Kerry — will join the Cats on a two-year deal.

The 21-year-old was last week cut from FOX 8 series The Recruit and has been training at local football club Heidelberg.

Lucey, a 204cm ruck prospect, qualifies as a category B rookie under the international player rules and his salary will sit outside the cap — unless he is upgraded to the senior list and plays AFL games.

The Cats have experience acquiring talent outside the usual channels, securing steeplechaser Mark Blicavs — who played 23 games this year — and basketballer Michael Luxford was signed in 2013.

Lucey has a Gaelic football background and first kicked an AFL football 18 months ago via an AFL combine in Ireland run by fellow Kerry man and Sydney premiership play Tadhg Kennelly.

He represented the European Legion against the AIS earlier this year, before accepting an invitation to be on The Recruit.”


Padraig is a product of one of Ireland’s newest Australian Rules clubs, the UCC Bombers, which is a huge pat on the back for the team from Cork to be unearthing such talent.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Padraig to continue the production line of Irish players who have succeeded in coming into AFL ranks. And at 204cm, Padraig will certainly be looking at plenty of time in the ruck, or even as a key position player, having played for Ireland in both roles and being selected in the World team, made from the best performed players at the International Cup, as the centre half forward.

For full Herald Sun story on Padraig, go to - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl...7061191164

(Photo of Padraig contesting a mark at the AFL International Combine Trials - courtesy of http://www.hoganstand.com)