The 20-year-old becomes the southern club’s first international rookie and will be mentored by Tadhg Kennelly during his time down under.
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“I’ve been following the game a bit back home and know of a few trailblazers like Tadhg, Jim Stynes and Caolan Mooney who has been a rookie with Collingwood for a couple of years,” Flynn said.
“The skills are similar to Gaelic – we kick, handball and mark as well, the tackling is a bit different, but I’ll learn that as time goes on.”
Port Adelaide hope to turn him into a “small to medium defender” over the next two years.
Flynn in action against Dublin this summer (INPHO/James Crombie)
“I’ll probably spend the first 12 months developing my Aussie Rules skills in the SANFL [South Australian National Football League] and hopefully be groomed into an AFL footballer from there,” Flynn said.
Flynn had been one of the stars of Kildare’s U21 side in recent years. The midfielder made his senior championship debut against Offaly this summer and quickly became an ever-present under manager Kieran McGeeney.
Kildare's Daniel Flynn signs Aussie Rules contract with Port Adelaide
KILDARE HAVE BEEN dealt a blow with the news that young star Daniel Flynn has moved to the AFL.
Flynn signed a two-year deal with Port Adelaide after he travelled down to see the club’s headquarters in Alberton this week.
The 20-year-old becomes the southern club’s first international rookie and will be mentored by Tadhg Kennelly during his time down under.
“I’ve been following the game a bit back home and know of a few trailblazers like Tadhg, Jim Stynes and Caolan Mooney who has been a rookie with Collingwood for a couple of years,” Flynn said.
“The skills are similar to Gaelic – we kick, handball and mark as well, the tackling is a bit different, but I’ll learn that as time goes on.”
Port Adelaide hope to turn him into a “small to medium defender” over the next two years.
Flynn in action against Dublin this summer (INPHO/James Crombie)
“I’ll probably spend the first 12 months developing my Aussie Rules skills in the SANFL [South Australian National Football League] and hopefully be groomed into an AFL footballer from there,” Flynn said.
Flynn had been one of the stars of Kildare’s U21 side in recent years. The midfielder made his senior championship debut against Offaly this summer and quickly became an ever-present under manager Kieran McGeeney.
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AFL Aussie Rules Daniel Flynn GAA GAA 2013 Port Adelaide FC Kildare