World Footy News

 

As the AFL season in Australia moves into the trade and pre-draft stages, two more young Irish prospects have announced themselves at the current  NAB AFL Draft Combine. At the end of last season AFL clubs willingly added Irish talent to their 2015 lists with Conor McKenna going to Essendon, Sean Hurley to Fremantle, Padraig Lucey to Geelong, Cian Hanley to Brisbane and Paddy Brophy to West Coast.

 

Whilst the North American experiment is in a state of limbo with Eric Wallace being delisted by North Melbourne and the possibility of Mike Pyke retiring, the Irish contingent continues to blossom. The following article from www.afl.com.au introduces the progress of two more Irish candidates.

 

 

IRISH prospects Darragh Joyce and Colin O'Riordan have created plenty of interest at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, with the teenagers considered strong chances to earn international rookie contracts

 

The pair has impressed in all aspects of testing despite limited exposure to the Australian game.

Joyce is no stranger to AFL recruiters, with the 18-year-old a standout at the International Combine in Dublin last December.

"I'm out here to do business and get a contract," Joyce told AFL.com.au.

"I've had interviews with the Swans, St Kilda, Essendon, Brisbane and the Bulldogs, so there has been a bit of interest.

"That's the whole reason I'm out here, because if a contract weren't on the cards I wouldn't be out here."

The 193cm County Kilkenny product has a predominately Hurling background, but played Gaelic football at school.

When the opportunity presented to pursue a professional career in Australia and escape Ireland's economic gloom, Joyce didn't think twice.

"I've put a college on hold to come out here and chase a dream," Joyce said

"My father works abroad in London as plasterer for the past four years because all the work has dried up in Ireland.

"I've had the footy in my hands every day back at home, but once we got knocked out of the hurling with Kilkenny, I've practiced even more so.

"It's a fantastic opportunity."

While Joyce looms as key defender at AFL level, O'Riordan has all the attributes to be a goalkicking midfielder like Pearce Hanley.

The 19-year-old was named Gaelic football's young player of the year in 2014 and has twice earned junior All Ireland honours.

Bringing those achievements to the combine has seen the Tipperary native grilled by several clubs.

"It was a bit daunting having an interview in front of 10 or 12 people, but all you can do is be yourself," O'Riordan said

"The dream is to be a professional, I didn't come out here to make up the numbers.

"You can financially benefit from a game you love."

And the Irishman's proclaimed affection for Australia's indigenous game isn't fabricated to impress the locals.

"I used to set the alarm, get up early and watch the highlights show it back in Ireland," he said

"I had instant love for it, and I'm not just saying that now because I'm over here, I have a genuine love for the game."