DERRY’S ANTON TOHILL has departed AFL outfit Collingwood and returned to Ireland to pursue a degree in medicine, The42 understands.
The 21-year-old has been with the Melbourne club for three years and made his debut in July. It is understood he turned down a one-year extension. Tohill was out of contract having signed a one-year deal last December.
The former Derry Under-20 player was offered a place at Queens University in 2018 to study medicine but deferred while he pursued an AFL career. He is keen to return to that course for the upcoming academic year.
Tohill is the son of Derry Gaelic football legend and 1993 All-Ireland winner Anthony Tohill. His spell in Australia saw him overcome a series of injuries and Covid chaos.
In his debut campaign, he suffered a concussion, a quad injury and tore his hip rotator. His second preseason was limited after he tore 10cm of skin off his shin thanks to a fall on a treadmill.
Subsequently, the pandemic wreaked havoc and the 2020 VFL season, the reserve league where Tohill and his fellow Irish prospects cut their teeth, was cancelled entirely. In 2021, there was a series of postponements and snap fixture changes due to multiple state lockdowns. Despite that, the key defender impressed in the VFL and was rewarded with a debut against Port Adelaide.
In recognition of the challenging circumstances, the AFL did recently introduce a rule tweak so that rookies in their third season can spend a fourth ‘replacement year’ on the list. Previously players had not been allowed to spend more than three years on the rookie list.
Elsewhere, Meath’s Cian McBride flew home last week before the end of the 2021 campaign with the approval of his club Essendon. The Bombers snapped a spot in the top eight on the final day of the regular season last weekend and will play Western Bulldogs on Sunday in an elimination final.
McBride is in his second season with the club and yet to debut. The 20-year-old is set to represent his Gaelic football club, St. Ultan’s GFC, in the Meath Championship this weekend.
Last year he trained with the Meath senior panel prior to the Leinster Championship but a foot metatarsal injury ruled him of action. McBride is also out of contract at the end of the season and eligible for a third-year extension as a rookie.
The42 understands the club is keen to retain the services of McBride and want to play him as a key defender from the pre season on. He is expected to return to Australia in November.
Absolutely baffled how half a season Howe is ahead of Moyes or Arteta.
The English at it again.
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: def moyes should be ahead of Howe. Mane instead of Saka or if not mane then Ronaldo ahead of Saka
@Cormac Flanagan: u can’t disrespect Artetas achievement either. Youngest squad in PL and about to get 4th with his level of experience is an excellent achievement.
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: that’s true I suppose. You’d wonder the criteria for been nominated.
Son for me..terrific player..he has great stats for a team that can be hit or miss.
Saka! Seriously??
Man you actually forget how good Son is. Seems to just play his football in the long grass almost anonymous and is only one goal behind Salah in the charts. Happy to say 2 of the 3 most likely to win it (you’d imagine Salah, Son, KDB) came from Bundesliga beginnings. Prem is obviously superior for a number of reasons, but it’s crazy how the German league is regarded as a ‘farmers league’ by so many, yet it probably produces the best talent for the BPL.
I’d go Son and Vierra. Salah over Mane?? Not sure about that.
@John Quinn: is that the Salah with the most goals and most assists in the league?
@Gareth Keenan: I’m a Liverpool fan and he’s been cat since Egypt missed out on the World Cup. I hope it’s just the new contract on his mind. Mane has got the more important goals and given a full shift in every game. Just my opinion mind.
Here’s hoping either bang in a few in the Cup Finals.
Has to be KDB his playing brilliant stuff in Premier ship.
KDB and Frank
Son for me. Good attitude, work ethic, and unbelievable skill. Constantly surprised the big big clubs aren’t throwing money at him and spurs to get him. He’d fit into any team.
Saka in there is a bit of a farce. He’s been good but tell me he’s had a better season than DeGea. United would be in 14th without him
@Ray Taff: Saka is 19 years old. He has 11 goals and 6 assists. Pulling the string for an exceptionally young team. Can u name another 19 year old in the premier league that’s better? I can’t! Wonder how good he might be with more exp and a better team supplying him?
@Seàn Pòl O’Maolain: You’ve mentioned 19 years old twice. He’s in there ahead of Mane too who’s been better than Salah in my opinion. Young player of the year I couldn’t argue but this is beyond a joke