TIPPERARY’S TWO-TIME football Allstar Declan Browne has described the imminent departure of Colin O’Riordan as “a massive blow” to the county.
O’Riordan, nominated for an Allstar himself last year, has confirmed that he has been asked to attend the Australian Football League draft combine in Melbourne next month.
And Browne has backed O’Riordan (19) to make it big Down Under.
Browne said: “It’s a massive blow for Tipp. We need everyone, always have and always will.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he will make it down in Australia.
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“Fair play to the chap, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Declan Browne (pictured) believes Colin O'Riordan will be a smash hit Down Under. INPHO
INPHO
“Not too many guys have gone down and made it but he has the credentials to do so.
“The only possible factor is homesickness but if he can deal with that, he’ll make it, I have no doubt in the world.
“And Colin is 100 per cent right to give it a go. If it works out, brilliant, if it doesn’t, he’ll always have Tipp football.
“At the end of the day, this could shape his whole career and his whole life.
“You’d be better off giving it a go and seeing where it takes you rather than not.
“I genuinely hope it works out for him.”
Waterford native Jason Ryan has been linked with the vacant Tipperary senior football post. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Tipperary’s new senior football team manager, the successor to Peter Creedon, may now have to plan without JK Brackens colossus O’Riordan for the 2016 campaign and possibly beyond.
The rumour mill in the Premier County is in overdrive as to the identity of the next appointment, with former Wexford and Kildare boss Jason Ryan now understood to be very much in the frame.
But the next man in will sorely miss the influence of midfielder O’Riordan, a dual All-Ireland minor medallist who captained the U21s to this year’s final against Tyrone.
'It's a massive blow for Tipp but I have no doubt that he will make it in Australia'
TIPPERARY’S TWO-TIME football Allstar Declan Browne has described the imminent departure of Colin O’Riordan as “a massive blow” to the county.
O’Riordan, nominated for an Allstar himself last year, has confirmed that he has been asked to attend the Australian Football League draft combine in Melbourne next month.
And Browne has backed O’Riordan (19) to make it big Down Under.
Browne said: “It’s a massive blow for Tipp. We need everyone, always have and always will.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he will make it down in Australia.
“Fair play to the chap, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Not too many guys have gone down and made it but he has the credentials to do so.
“The only possible factor is homesickness but if he can deal with that, he’ll make it, I have no doubt in the world.
“At the end of the day, this could shape his whole career and his whole life.
“You’d be better off giving it a go and seeing where it takes you rather than not.
“I genuinely hope it works out for him.”
Tipperary’s new senior football team manager, the successor to Peter Creedon, may now have to plan without JK Brackens colossus O’Riordan for the 2016 campaign and possibly beyond.
The rumour mill in the Premier County is in overdrive as to the identity of the next appointment, with former Wexford and Kildare boss Jason Ryan now understood to be very much in the frame.
But the next man in will sorely miss the influence of midfielder O’Riordan, a dual All-Ireland minor medallist who captained the U21s to this year’s final against Tyrone.
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Colin O'Riordan Declan Browne GAA Gaelic Football High praise Tipperary