Lions opt for Irish link

BRISBANE have tapped into their Irish connections to recruit another speedster from the Emerald Isle.

James Madden broke the all-time AFL Draft Combine 20m sprint at the European Combine in December, running at 2.69 seconds. He also travelled to Florida, USA, to train with the AFL Academy.

The Dubliner was recommended to Brisbane by former Lion Cian Hanley.

Hanley had a frustrating run of injury while in Australia and eventually cut short his time at the Lions after the death of his brother Tommy.

But he remains in contact with the Lions and has acted as an intermediary in the recruitment process by urging Madden to give the AFL a go.