DUBLIN’S HIGHLY-RATED youngster Ciaran Kilkenny is set to pursue an Australian Rules career after signing a contract with Melbourne based AFL club Hawthorn.
The Castleknock player’s move was confirmed today on the Dublin GAA website after months of speculation over his future following interest expressed by Hawthorn and their Melbourne rivals Carlton Blues in securing his services.
It is believed that Kilkenny has signed on for an initial two-year term with Hawthorn who face Sydney Swans, the club of Kerry’s Tommy Walsh, in this year’s Grand Final of the AFL tomorrow at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 19 year-old’s departure is a massive blow for Dublin GAA after he has made a huge impact in recent seasons. Kilkenny burst to prominence with the Dublin minor teams that reached the All-Ireland final in both hurling and football last September before suffering defeat against Galway and Tipperary respectively.
This year he was the star of the Dublin side that lifted the All-Ireland U21 football crown with a final victory over Roscommon, registering 2-30 during their campaign and winning the Cadbury’s Hero of the Future award at the conclusion of the championship.
He was subsequently drafted into the capital’s senior side, making his debut for Pat Gilroy’s men in their Leinster semi-final victory over Wexford before kicking 0-3 when he deputised for the injured Alan Brogan during the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo.
Kilkenny revealed earlier this year that he was going to postpone a decision about a potential move to Australia until after he had completed his Leaving Certificate exams and spoke about the challenges involved in such a move.
“I know how hard it is to make it over there and a lot of people struggle. The most appealing thing is playing professional sports six days a week. It was very inspiring to see people like Jim Stynes over there.”
Dessie Farrell, who managed Kilkenny at minor football level last season, described Kilkenny’s decision as a sad day when speaking to the Evening Herald but also expressed his delight for the player who had recently begun third-level studies in UCD.
“From his own point of view and that of his family, I’d be delighted for him. Sport is his life and he has devoted himself to it and he’s just one of these young lads with enormous talent and a huge depth of knowledge across a range of sports and he has the talent and tools to back it up.
“You can only anticipate how great he would have gone on to be for Dublin, so from that point of view, it’s a sad day.”
