Ireland and the AFL
The AFL have several Irish players on team lists, with Carlton and Brisbane leading the way with two Irish players each. Carlton have Setanta O'hAilpin, who debuted in season 2005, and also his younger brother Aisake O'hAilpin. The Lions played Colm Begley for a couple of games in 2006 and also have Brendan Quigley on their rookie list.
Sydney's Tadhg Kennelly is a premiership player in the AFL and has played over 100 games. Kennelly first played for the Swans in season 2001 when he played 8 games. Over the next few seasons he learned the game, strengthened his body and became a star player for the Swans. Kennelly is an important piece of Sydney's great defense, stopping his opponent and launching the Swans into attack.
The road was paved from Ireland to the AFL by the success of Jim Stynes. A Brownlow medal, a Grand Final appearance and a consecutive games streak. Stynes played 264 games and kicked 130 goals for the Demons.
Sean Wight spent his whole career of 150 games with people wondering if he was Irish or Scottish, the usual answer to that was that he was born in Scotland but had an Irish background.
Melbourne went back to Ireland for players and drafted Brian Stynes, Niall Buckley, Anthony Tohill and Tom Grehan.
Other Irish players drafted by VFL teams were Colin Corkery, Colum McManamon and Dermott McNicholl. McNicholl played a couple of senior games with the Saints.
As with a lot of other things with the AFL, the credit for the idea of Irish recruiting goes to Ron Barassi.
A special mention of Dermott Brereton is also needed here. He was as Irish as anyone on the list here, but was born in Australia.
Sydney's Tadhg Kennelly is a premiership player in the AFL and has played over 100 games. Kennelly first played for the Swans in season 2001 when he played 8 games. Over the next few seasons he learned the game, strengthened his body and became a star player for the Swans. Kennelly is an important piece of Sydney's great defense, stopping his opponent and launching the Swans into attack.
The road was paved from Ireland to the AFL by the success of Jim Stynes. A Brownlow medal, a Grand Final appearance and a consecutive games streak. Stynes played 264 games and kicked 130 goals for the Demons.
Sean Wight spent his whole career of 150 games with people wondering if he was Irish or Scottish, the usual answer to that was that he was born in Scotland but had an Irish background.
Melbourne went back to Ireland for players and drafted Brian Stynes, Niall Buckley, Anthony Tohill and Tom Grehan.
Other Irish players drafted by VFL teams were Colin Corkery, Colum McManamon and Dermott McNicholl. McNicholl played a couple of senior games with the Saints.
As with a lot of other things with the AFL, the credit for the idea of Irish recruiting goes to Ron Barassi.
A special mention of Dermott Brereton is also needed here. He was as Irish as anyone on the list here, but was born in Australia.
