TOP GAA TALENT’S AFL SHOT

AUSSIE RULES FOOTBALLERS from Carlow, Down, Derry and Cork are chasing a professional contract at the AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne from October 2 to October 5.

Carlow senior Jordan Morrissey (above), Anton Tohill of Derry, Down’s Pierce Laverty and Cork prospect Mark Keane will be put through their paces along with the cream of the domestic talent at Marvel Stadium.

Interestingly, none of the quartet has been identified in the half-back division that has been the most likely siting of Irish converts, with their speed and foot skills valuable on the counter-attack.

Éire Óg 19-year-old Morrissey was fasttracked into the Carlow senior squad by Turlough O’brien this year as they embarked on a historic run through the

League and Championship.

He has been described as “a natural leader” in an AFL statement that also noted Down U20 attacker Laverty’s speed and “excellent natural leap”, plus an elusiveness that would make him useful close to goals.

Tohill, standing at 6’6” and the son of former All-ireland winner, international rules boss and Melbourne clubman Anthony, and Keane have been named in the tall defenders list.

He is the third member of Derry’s Ulster U20 championship-winning squad to attract the attention of AFL scouts, with Callum Brown also hot property Down Under.

Cork minor Keane,

6’4’’, also earned an invitation on the back of his brilliance in Dublin, amazing onlookers with his speed, kicking, contested marking and most significantly, an apparent natural game sense.