Walsh and Moran off to St Kilda?

[johnpower]

Good news for the Narries and the Kingdom .

[ludermor]

Didn't last long out there -



Kerry footballer David Moran was upbeat about his AFL experience despite not securing a rookie contract with Melbourne's St Kilda Football Club for the coming season after an intensive two week trial period with the AFL side.

Moran commented: 'I had a great time in Melbourne training with St Kilda this past two weeks. I'd like to thank the club for this chance to come into contact with a professional sports set-up and to see if my physical make up and skill set was suited to Aussie Rules.

'It was a big challenge competing in various trails against professional AFL players over a short period especially after a long GAA season but I really enjoyed it and have taken positives from the experience, which I can apply to my own sporting career in the future.'

St Kilda General Manager Matthew Drain, was impressed by David's attitude and willingness to learn over the trial period. He commented: 'We are delighted that David took up the offer of a trial period with St Kilda over the last fortnight as we missed the chance to see him up close last year due to his college exam commitments.

Overall, he did very well showing good endurance and he definitely was not out of his depth in our professional environment."

Drain continued: 'David is only 21 years old but showed a great professional attitude and enthusiasm during his time and his potential as a great all round sports man is obvious. As we know only a very small number of athletes from GAA successfully make the transition to AFL.'

Moran will return home this week to make himself available for selection to his club Kerins O'Rahilly's in the Munster SFC Final against Kilmurry-Ibrickane this Sunday in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

Why the huge font? Are you disputing what he said?

[comethekingdom]

Great news for the Kingdom. Moran will make a big impact next year IMO.

[INDIANA]

O Shea is going to sign next year by all accounts.

[Tubberman]

O Shea is going to sign next year by all accounts.

Which O'Shea are you talking about? Mayo or Kerry?

[stephenite]

O Shea is going to sign next year by all accounts.

Which O'Shea are you talking about? Mayo or Kerry?

If it's Mayo the word I got from Melbourne is that he didn't impress, but that's not gospel by any means

[comethekingdom]

Walsh set for AFL debut

By Daragh Conchir


Wednesday January 20 2010

Kerry's All-Ireland-winning forward Tommy Walsh looks likely to make his competitive Aussie Rules debut next month.

The former Young Footballer of the Year has been earning rave reviews for his efforts in training since joining St Kilda on a two-year international rookie contract in October. His coach, Ross Lyon, is anxious to see how he will fare in first-team action.

With that in mind, the 21-year-old who "physically, is capable of doing anything" has been tipped to be let off the leash in the pre-season NAB Cup against Collingwood on February 19.

St Kilda football manager, Greg Hutchison, conceded that it would be "pretty exciting" to see the big Tralee man set loose.

"The coach will make up his mind about when he plays him but the NAB Cup is interesting because it's an opportunity to try some people that maybe haven't got a background in AFL football," said Hutchison.

Nuances

"It would be pretty exciting if we saw Tommy Walsh run out in Round 1 of the NAB Cup. He can play at either end of the ground and once he understands the nuances of the game, who knows where he's going to go with it all?"

Reports from Down Under suggest that Walsh has got to grips with the oval ball quickly, while his pace for a man of his stature has surprised many.

He has settled in with the rest of the squad, who have quickly christened him 'Ivan', after the blond-haired Russian villain in Rocky IV, Ivan Drago.

"Where he's come from pre-Christmas and when he got here, he's really improved," Hutchison enthused. "Physically, he's capable of doing anything. The greatest challenge for him is learning the the game and its skills, and once he gets a handle on that, physically I think he's got the attributes to make an impact.

"It may work or it may not, but if it does work, we've certainly got a free player, if you like. What he's shown playing Gaelic football, even if we can get a little bit of that, we might have found a player. He's a really quiet fellow but he goes about his business in a really professional way."

- Daragh Conchir

Irish Independent

[longrunsthefox]

Like who cares?    Joe McMahon made a wee boy out of him

[Carmen Stateside]

Might not the next time but! Do you think its Joe hes thinking about in this photo:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-saints-coach-ross-lyon-to-let-tommy-walsh-loose-in-nab-cup/story-e6frf9jf-1225821375718

[AZOffaly]

Like who cares?    Joe McMahon made a wee boy out of him

In fairness he was a wee boy back then.

[Homer]

[GAA_Punter]

Short article and some pictures

Tommy Walsh plays first competitive action for AFL side St Kilda 12th February 2010

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/?p=7028

[qz]

Irishman eyes debut

ST KILDA will unveil Irish youngster Tommy Walsh in next week's NAB Cup clashes with Essendon and the Brisbane Lions.

Walsh, 22, who spent last year on St Kilda's rookie list, will play his first game in Saints colours after moving from Ireland 15 months ago.

Saints coach Ross Lyon said on Tuesday he would look to use Walsh in several roles, including as support for ruckman Ben McEvoy.

"(He will play at) full-back and forward. He is a key position player. He might not like hearing he's going into the ruck but it's an opportunity for him," Lyon said.

"He came fourth or fifth in the Sandringham best and fairest (in 2010). It's a pretty high standard and to deliver on that has exceeded everyone's expectation."

source: http://www.afl.com.au/

[Groucho]

Good luck to the lad....hope he makes it big time.

There's not a county in Ireland that wouldn't mind having him on their team.