Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hanley Oz adventure is all over
FORMER Mayo underage star Cian Hanley has quit the AFL without playing a senior game for the Brisbane Lions.
Hanley, 21, who captained Mayo to Connacht minor football title honours against Roscommon before they lost to Kerry in the 2014 semi-final, missed the entire 2015 Australian rules season following his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament.
Hanley finally recovered from his injury nightmare to play regularly for the Lions reserves last year, but tragedy struck the Hanley family last March when younger brother Tommy Hanley, succumbed to cancer at the age of 16.
Cian has since become increasingly homesick and with his older brother Pearce having moved to the Gold Coast Suns last year, decided it was time to return home.
“The club has been unbelievable, I’m very appreciative of what they’ve done over the last while,” he said. “It’s no fault of theirs I’m going home.
“It’s just more me and personal reasons and I just think it’s the right time to go.”
Lions General Manager of Football David Noble praised Hanley’s personality and work ethic.
“Cian has been one of our hardest workers over the last three years particularly, overcoming injury and personal adversity with such a professional attitude, it is very sad to see him go home,” Noble said.
“We will miss his infectious smile, his positive attitude and bubbly contribution. We wish him a safe trip back home to Ireland where he will reconnect with his family.”