World Footy News

AFL Europe will be represented at the AFL's National Draft Combine in Melbourne in October by Darragh Joyce (left) and Colin O'Riordan. After testing well at the AFL's Combine in Ireland late last year ran by Tadhg Kennelly these two selected GAA athletes will travel to Australia in hopes of being drafted as International Rookies by one of the AFL clubs.

Given that media speculation is that the Draft talent pool is relatively week and clubs are becoming more open all the time to code crossers, there has probably never a better time to be an Irish kid auditioning for a spot on an AFL list.

O’Riordan's home county is Tipperary and he helped them to an All-Ireland U21 final this year as well as being part of the minor (Under 18) All-Ireland Championship team twice in previous years. 

Joyce is a star junior hurler, and was a standout in last December's European combine in Dublin.  He comes from County Kilkenny where Gaelic Football is not played, but he has played Gaelic football for County Wexford where he went to school.  Hawthorn is believed to be interested in Joyce and visited with his family in Ireland. 

And Joyce may not be the only Irishman on their wishlist. 

Conor Glass who has just finished his season with Derry minors, is headed to Hawthorn according to numerous reports in the Irish press.  Thye say that he has signed a pre-contract deal with Hawthorn to join them as an International Rookie.  He has been out to Australia to spend time at the club the past two summers and is now at draft age.  Glass looks a likely type to transition well to the Aussie game with great aerial skills and athletic ability.

Hawthorn's first venture into the Irish talent pool ended poorly with the highly fancied Ciaran Kilkenny failing to make it through his first preseason with the club.  Bringing in two Irish lads at a time might be a better strategy and has been somewhat proven at Melbourne, Brisbane, Collingwood and Carlton to give a higher chance of the transition being successful.

Irish Players to have played in AFL 2015 Season: Brisbane - Pearce Hanley, Carlton - Zach Tuohy, Ciaran Sheehan, Ciaran Byrne, Essendon - Conor McKenna

Irish Players at AFL Clubs yet to make AFL Debut 2015: Brisbane - Cian Hanley, West Coast Eagles - Paddy Brophy, Fremantly - Sean Hurley

Irish Players listed at AFL Club but departed 2015:  Port Adelaide - Daniel Flynn