GAA:Setanta Ó hAilpín is preparing to fight for his AFL future after being let go by the Carlton Blues. The 28-year-old was delisted by Carlton today, the Melbourne club deciding not to renew his contract.
While the decision inevitably raised the possibility of a return to Ireland and the Cork hurlers, Ó hAilpín’s manager dismissed any such notions.
“Setanta has got unfinished business mate – he is not going anywhere,” Michael Quinlan told the sportsnewsfirst.com.au website. “I think his opportunities are still there, and his last game of football was a preliminary final so he must be offering something.
“I believe he has still got development in his game. His natural aggression at the ball and also his ability to go forward, back and pinch hit in the ruck which are all handy assets to have at the moment.”
Ó hAilpín will now enter next month's draft with Quinlan confident he will be picked up by another AFL club
"We definitely feel he's got plenty more to offer and even more development left in his game,” he added. "We haven't got a bloke who is shattered, thinking his career is over. We're looking at him continuing for sure.”