THE 2016 AFL season starts tomorrow when Carlton take on Richmond in the opening game in Melbourne (8.20am Irish time).
The match represents the commencement of an Aussie Rules campaign that will see 11 Irish players hope to make their mark.
Here’s the players from Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Laois, Kildare, Louth, Mayo, Tyrone and Derry to keep an eye on.
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1. Cian Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
Hanley spent his first season in Brisbane rehabilitating from a cruciate injury that he sustained in the 2014 All-Ireland minor semi-final. The 20 year-old has a full pre-season behind him and will now seek to make his debut for the Lions in 2016.
2. Ciaran Byrne (Louth) – Carlton Blues
The Louth native made his debut in Round 3 of the 2015 season for Carlton but suffered a hamstring injury at training the following week which derailed his progress and he didn’t play in the AFL again in 2015.
The 21 year-old hit the headlines recently with a brilliant goal for the Northern Blues – Carlton’s affiliate outfit – in a pre-season clash. He will be playing tomorrow for the Northern Blues against Richmond at Punt Road Oval in another pre-season fixture.
3. Ciaran Sheehan (Cork) – Carlton Blues
Sheehan is another who endured injury turmoil last year. After making his AFL breakthrough with four appearances at the close of the 2014 season, he missed the entire 2015 campaign.
The 25 year-old had hip surgery in May after the onset of osteitis pubis. He’s currently still battling a hip injury but is expected to return to training in a fortnight and be available to play in four weeks.
4. Conor Glass (Derry) – Hawthorn Hawks
Last October Glass was signed up by Hawthorn Hawks as an International Category B rookie. He’s been a star for his club Watty Grahams, his school St Pat’s Maghera and the Derry county minor teams.
Today Glass was part of the St Pat’s setup that reached the Hogan Cup final but is not set to move to Melbourne to commence his AFL career until he finishes his schools exams this June.
5. Conor McKenna (Tyrone) – Essendon Bombers
Tyrone player McKenna burst on to the scene last year when he made his Essendon debut and scored a goal with his first kick for the Bombers against Richmond. The Eglish native played the final two games of the season for Essendon and will be looking to push on in 2016.
6. Colin O’Riordan (Tipperary) – Sydney Swans
An All-Ireland minor winner in football and hurling, O’Riordan signed an international rookie contract with the Swans last October. A hugely talented Gaelic footballer, it’s going to be interesting to monitor O’Riordan’s progress. Sydney make their 2016 AFL bow on Saturday with a clash against Collingwood.
7. Paddy Brophy (Kildare) – West Coast Eagles
A former Leinster U21 winner with Kildare in 2013, Brophy joined the West Coast Eagles in October 2014. He has yet to make his debut in the AFL but has played 24 games for East Perth in the WAFL. He lined out in East Perth’s opening game last Saturday but they suffered a 110-34 defeat by Claremont.
8. Padraig Lucey (Kerry) – Geelong Cats
Lucey hails from the Legion club in Kerry and is facing into his second season. He has yet to play in the AFL, lining out so far for Geelong in the VFL. He was rookie-listed by Geelong after partaking in the Aussie Rules reality TV show The Recruit. While at home last November, he featured for his club in the drawn Kerry senior football final.
9. Pearce Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
One of the most successful Irish players in the AFL, Hanley has now racked up 107 appearances for the Lions. A vice-captain with the club, he missed the first nine rounds of the 2015 campaign with a hip injury. The 27 year-old returned to action for Round 10 but it was a tough season for Brisbane as they finished second bottom on the AFL ladder.
10. Sean Hurley (Kildare) – Fremantle Dockers
Johnstownbridge club man Hurley was selected as part of the rookie draft at the end of 2014 by Fremantle. He played for Peel Thunder in the WAFL in 2015, lining out in 14 senior games and kicking seven goals. But the Kildare man is currently on the sidelines for 11-13 weeks with a hip injury.
11. Zach Tuohy (Laois) – Carlton Blues
Portlaoise native Tuohy is an established member of the Carlton side. He’s made 98 career appearances for the club and was one of only four Carlton players to feature in every AFL game in 2015.
It was a difficult season for the Blues as they finished bottom of the AFL ladder but Tuohy’s fine defensive displays were rewarded by selection on the AFL Coaches Association All-Australian team.
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