Setanta Australia switch looks imminent

Negotiations between the Australian Football Rules (AFL) club Carlton and Cork hurler Setanta Ó hAilpín looked to be nearing completion last night. Ó hAilpín was training with the club at 10 p.m. Irish time, increasing the liklihood that he was poised to sign a contract within hours.

Friday is the official deadline for AFL clubs to sign "international rookies", and with everything regarding the player's potential registration in order, a deal appeared to be imminent, although neither party had declared their intentions.

For Ó hAilpín, who last Friday was voted young hurler of the year, the full-time move to Australia is clearly a serious option. The 20-year-old is still deemed young enough to make a successful switch to the oval ball and there is no prospect of ever making a professional sporting career should he remain in Ireland.

Ó hAilpín's visit to Carlton has sparked a series of reports of several other high-profile players receiving similar offers of interest from other Australian clubs. Yet all those appear to be without any foundation.

Armagh's Steven McDonnell, who also last Friday was voted footballer of the year, was reported to have received an offer of interest from the Melbourne-based club, Western Bulldogs, but yesterday he denied any such approach.

"Well I've heard absolutely nothing at all," said McDonnell. "No phone call, and certainly nothing in writing. So as far as I'm concerned there's nothing even there to consider. And my priority right now remains with Armagh anyway."

McDonnell had previously indicated an interest in the possibly pursuing the game in Australia, and featured prominently in the Irish team that toured Australia in October for the International Rules Test.

Yet he recently opened his own business in Dundalk and clearly would be unlikely to follow up any offer unless it was firm.

Other names linked with potential moves to Australia were Cork's Graham Canty, Derry's Seán Marty Lockhart, and Offaly's Ciarán McManus.

Canty was known to have caught the attention of a few Australian Rules scouts during the International Rules tour, where he also acted as Irish captain, although he had ruled out any interest in even pursuing any offer, should one arise.

The Sydney Swans club, home of former Kerry underage player Tadhg Kennelly, were reported to be interested in Lockhart, with the Brisbane Lions showing similar interest in McManus. Yet both those players would be viewed as too old to make a successful move to Australia at this stage of their careers.

In other news, the new Waterford hurling panel has been announced and as expected does not include three of the county's more senior players, Brian Greene, Peter Queally and Brian Flannery. Last month Greene and Queally were critical of some of the methods of manager Justin McCarthy, and claimed that they wouldn't play for the county again as long as he remained in charge.

Yet it has emerged that both players already knew they wouldn't be part of the new panel, and that was part of the motivation behind their stance.

Speculation Tony Browne might also retire has now dwindled since he's been included in the panel, with some of the newer names being Liam Lawlor, John Kennedy and Brendan Wall.

Finally, despite some previous reports, tickets for the "Underdogs" challenge match with the Dublin senior footballers are now available prior to the game on Sunday week. Adare Productions, who are behind the television series which gave rise to the Underdogs side, have put tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.

A large crowd is expected at Parnell Park, especially since the Underdog team has recently beaten a Wexford and Meath senior team.