THE 2015 AFL season starts tomorrow when Carlton take on Richmond in the opening game in Melbourne (9.20am Irish time).
The match represents the commencement of an Aussie Rules campaign that will see nine Irish players hope to make their mark.
Here’s the players from Laois, Cork, Louth, Mayo, Kildare, Kerry and Tyrone that we’ll be keeping an eye on.
1. Zach Tuohy (Laois) – Carlton Blues
Tuohy initially joined Carlton as an International Rookie in the 2010 draft selection. Since then the 25 year-old has become an established member of the side. He’s named to start at centre half-back tomorrow against Richmond and that will be his 77th AFL appearance. A mainstay of the team, Tuohy will be hoping to build on his good form this year.
Zach Tuohy in action for Ireland in the 2013 International Rules series INPHO / James Crombie
INPHO / James Crombie / James Crombie
2. Ciaran Sheehan (Cork) – Carlton Blues
A 2009 All-Ireland U21 winner and 2010 All-Ireland senior winner with his native Cork, Sheehan signed for Carlton in November 2013. He made his AFL debut last August for Carlton and played another three games for the club last season. Sheehan has been upgraded to a nominated rookie this year which means he can play in all AFL games but misses out tomorrow due to a groin injury.
Ciaran Sheehan in action for the Northern Blues last year.
3. Ciaran Byrne (Louth) – Carlton Blues
20 year-old Byrne has been fast-tracked into the first-team squad after joining the club in November 2013. Byrne, who played 14 VFL games last year for Northern Blues, is still yet to make his AFL debut but is tipped to do so this year after a strong pre-season.
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Ciaran Byrne (right) playing for Ireland in the 2013 International Rules series Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
4. Pearce Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
The star Irish player in the AFL, Hanley was recently named at no. 37 in the list of top 50 AFL players. He made his debut in 2008 and has since gone on to be a key player for Brisbane making 96 appearances for the Lions in the AFL.
However Hanley is currently out injured after undergoing surgery on both his hips eight weeks ago. He took the first steps towards rehabilitation this week but is facing another 8-10 weeks on the sidelines.
Pearce Hanley in training before last year's International Rules series Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
5. Cian Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
Hanley’s younger brother Cian signed for Brisbane last year but is currently sidelined after tearing his cruciate in Mayo’s All-Ireland minor semi-final loss last August against Kerry. Brisbane honoured their commitment to sign Cian with club football manager Dean Warren confident that the Ballaghaderreen native can do ‘a lot of skill acquisition training and work on the gym’.
In 2013, Cian was part of the Mayo squad that won the 2013 All-Ireland minor football crown but he missed the final win over Tyrone that year after fracturing his collarbone.
Cian Hanley captained Mayo to win last year's Connacht minor football title Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
6. Sean Hurley (Kildare) – Fremantle Dockers
Hurley came to prominence for the Kildare senior teams in recent years and was part of the U21 side that won the Leinster championship in 2013. The 23 year-old was selected as part of the rookie draft last year by Fremantle where it is hoped he can develop into a defender.
This season it is likely Hurley will play for Western Australian league side Peel Thunder as he learns his trade.
Sean Hurley lined out for Kildare in last year's Leinster senior championship Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
7. Paddy Brophy (Kildare) – West Coast Eagles
Another Kildare recruit, 21 year-old Brophy could have been lining out in tomorrow’s EirGrid Leinster U21 final but is instead playing for the West Coast Eagles having joined last October.
Another member of the 2013 Kildare Leinster U21 winning side, he is the West Coast Eagles first ever international rookie. Similar to Hurley, Brophy is likely to play in the Western Australian Football League this year with his team being East Perth FC.
Paddy Brophy was in action for Kildare in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
8. Padraig Lucey (Kerry) – Geelong Cats
22 year-old Lucey hails from the Legion club in Kerry where current Kingdom seniors Brian Kelly, Jonathan Lyne and James O’Donoghue play. He was rookie-listed by Geelong after partaking in the Aussie Rules reality TV show The Recruit and has just completed his first pre-season with the club.
Padraig Lucey (right) featured in an AFL International Combine trial in 2013 Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
9. Conor McKenna (Tyrone) – Essendon Bombers
A highly rated player in his native county, McKenna lined out for Tyrone in the 2013 All-Ireland minor final against Mayo. The 19 year-old was linked with several clubs before signing with Essendon at the end of last year. He has lined out for Essendon in an NAB Challenge game this year.
Conor McKenna celebrates hitting the net for Tyrone in the 2013 All-Ireland minor semi-final. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The 9 Irish players we'll be keeping an eye on in this year's Aussie Rules action
THE 2015 AFL season starts tomorrow when Carlton take on Richmond in the opening game in Melbourne (9.20am Irish time).
The match represents the commencement of an Aussie Rules campaign that will see nine Irish players hope to make their mark.
Here’s the players from Laois, Cork, Louth, Mayo, Kildare, Kerry and Tyrone that we’ll be keeping an eye on.
1. Zach Tuohy (Laois) – Carlton Blues
Tuohy initially joined Carlton as an International Rookie in the 2010 draft selection. Since then the 25 year-old has become an established member of the side. He’s named to start at centre half-back tomorrow against Richmond and that will be his 77th AFL appearance. A mainstay of the team, Tuohy will be hoping to build on his good form this year.
2. Ciaran Sheehan (Cork) – Carlton Blues
A 2009 All-Ireland U21 winner and 2010 All-Ireland senior winner with his native Cork, Sheehan signed for Carlton in November 2013. He made his AFL debut last August for Carlton and played another three games for the club last season. Sheehan has been upgraded to a nominated rookie this year which means he can play in all AFL games but misses out tomorrow due to a groin injury.
3. Ciaran Byrne (Louth) – Carlton Blues
20 year-old Byrne has been fast-tracked into the first-team squad after joining the club in November 2013. Byrne, who played 14 VFL games last year for Northern Blues, is still yet to make his AFL debut but is tipped to do so this year after a strong pre-season.
4. Pearce Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
The star Irish player in the AFL, Hanley was recently named at no. 37 in the list of top 50 AFL players. He made his debut in 2008 and has since gone on to be a key player for Brisbane making 96 appearances for the Lions in the AFL.
However Hanley is currently out injured after undergoing surgery on both his hips eight weeks ago. He took the first steps towards rehabilitation this week but is facing another 8-10 weeks on the sidelines.
5. Cian Hanley (Mayo) – Brisbane Lions
Hanley’s younger brother Cian signed for Brisbane last year but is currently sidelined after tearing his cruciate in Mayo’s All-Ireland minor semi-final loss last August against Kerry. Brisbane honoured their commitment to sign Cian with club football manager Dean Warren confident that the Ballaghaderreen native can do ‘a lot of skill acquisition training and work on the gym’.
In 2013, Cian was part of the Mayo squad that won the 2013 All-Ireland minor football crown but he missed the final win over Tyrone that year after fracturing his collarbone.
6. Sean Hurley (Kildare) – Fremantle Dockers
Hurley came to prominence for the Kildare senior teams in recent years and was part of the U21 side that won the Leinster championship in 2013. The 23 year-old was selected as part of the rookie draft last year by Fremantle where it is hoped he can develop into a defender.
This season it is likely Hurley will play for Western Australian league side Peel Thunder as he learns his trade.
7. Paddy Brophy (Kildare) – West Coast Eagles
Another Kildare recruit, 21 year-old Brophy could have been lining out in tomorrow’s EirGrid Leinster U21 final but is instead playing for the West Coast Eagles having joined last October.
Another member of the 2013 Kildare Leinster U21 winning side, he is the West Coast Eagles first ever international rookie. Similar to Hurley, Brophy is likely to play in the Western Australian Football League this year with his team being East Perth FC.
8. Padraig Lucey (Kerry) – Geelong Cats
22 year-old Lucey hails from the Legion club in Kerry where current Kingdom seniors Brian Kelly, Jonathan Lyne and James O’Donoghue play. He was rookie-listed by Geelong after partaking in the Aussie Rules reality TV show The Recruit and has just completed his first pre-season with the club.
9. Conor McKenna (Tyrone) – Essendon Bombers
A highly rated player in his native county, McKenna lined out for Tyrone in the 2013 All-Ireland minor final against Mayo. The 19 year-old was linked with several clubs before signing with Essendon at the end of last year. He has lined out for Essendon in an NAB Challenge game this year.
The 2015 AFL season begins tomorrow morning and Laois man Tuohy named to start
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AFL Aussie Rules Boys Down Under Ciaran Byrne Ciarán Sheehan Conor McKenna Padraig Lucey Pearce Hanley