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By Colm Keys -Independent
Tuesday December 06 2011
The GAA have no formal knowledge of the role that Tadhg Kennelly will fulfil in the development of young international players for the AFL.
Kennelly, home in Listowel for a commemorative ceremony over the weekend that saw a roundabout named after his father Tim, said that his new role was "all agreed" with the GAA. But GAA sources have said that is not the case.

[I can't imagine the initiative will get a warm welcome.]

It has been reported in Melbourne, that Tadhg Kennelly has been hired to work in international player development, overseeing the development of potential footballers in Ireland. & putting together an u-17 European team to play against Aussie AFL u17 team in April which one would suspect might include a significant amount of Irish GAA players.

I can't imagine the initiative will get a warm welcome.Any thoughts on who the best u17s are who might be targeted?

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/kennellys-irish-gig-20111202-1objg.html#ixzz1feQNGNy0

Time was the GAA would have opposed this sort of thing.

But now they're all in favour of it. In fact, they've given it their blessing.

Well they seem to be denying any blessing this morning.

It has been reported in Melbourne, that Tadhg Kennelly has been hired to work in international player development, overseeing the development of potential footballers in Ireland. & putting together an u-17 European team to play against Aussie AFL u17 team in April which one would suspect might include a significant amount of Irish GAA players.

I can't imagine the initiative will get a warm welcome.

Any thoughts on who the best u17s are who might be targeted?

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/kennellys-irish-gig-20111202-1objg.html#ixzz1feQNGNy0

Blues axe Irishman O'hAilpin

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-18/blues-axe-irishman-o27hailpin/3577506

O'hAilpin's axing and the recent retirement of Sydney premiership player Tadhg Kennelly leaves only eight Irishmen with AFL clubs, with all of those other than Brisbane's Pearce Hanley, Collingwood's Marty Clarke and Sydney's Tommy Walsh on rookie lists.

Collingwood tv clip on Clarke highlights 1st time round

http://www.youtube.com/collingwoodctv#p/u/7/DJscgI3p0NI

Just home (in OZ) from Auckland, after one of the great weekends for Irish sport. Similar atmosphere to what Stuttgart 88 felt like. It was electric amongst the irish fans all day Saturday in the build up. You never felt like we were ever gonna get beat. The game was immense with the only annoyance was Sexton's kicking. Time for O'Gara to start. On the hunt for QF tickets

Joke that its not on TV, whoever is in charge of scheduling the games at RTE must have a real hard-on for Kildare as they have never been off the box this summer.

Have RTE showed any Tyrone games live this year? Could the Mickey Harte boycott be a factor?

Much as I voted for Canavan because of his longevity of high performance in a Tyrone shirt, & his massive contribution to our success, on his day Frank mcGuigan was better. He was a magician who created an electric atmosphere every time he got the ball. Even at 18 in the early 70s, he was the leader of the team. There is no doubt he'd have been the superstar in the team of the last decade.

He scored a goal I'll never forget, probably the best ever Tyrone goal for me. We were playing Down in Newry in the first round of the championship in 1982, and FmccG had been flown home from NY to play. He lined out at full forward & Down marked him so tight the whole game, he never got much ball. The Tyrone team & supporters were getting serious slagging about Mcguigan doing nothing etc.. having been flown home.

Anyway, last few minutes Tyrone were behind, long ball in to Frank & despite having only one arm free, he rose to catch the ball with his free hand, dropped it to his foot on the turn, for a volley to the net before he touched the ground. It won the game.

Teamtalk published a list of the top 10 scorers in the top division. Are any of these lads senior county prospects?  (PH/CmcC/NG excepted)

Shane Mulgrew [Donaghmore] 2-50
Kevin McNally [Carrickmore] 4-39
Cathal McCarron [Omagh] 4-38
Nishy O'Neill [Ardboe] 2-40
Liam Gervin [Derrylaughan] 5-31
Niall Gormley [Trillick] 3-37
Caolan Tierney [Errigal Ciaran] 1-39
Simon O'Neill [Killyclogher] 4-29
Peter Harte [Errigal Ciaran] 2-34
Eoghan Carberry [Coalisland] 4-26

Something that always makes you uneasy is the Omagh factor. Tyrone rarely perform well there. A big strong team like Monaghan could well get something out of this even though the Freeman absence seems to weaken the Monaghan scoring threat.

Never liked Tyrone playing in Omagh myself.
Last year at a home NFL match the results for Tyrone home games in the NFL for the decade 2000-09 were printed in the programme (for the NFL only).

Of 25 games played in Omagh, 15 were won (60%)
Of 9 games played in other parts of the county, 8 were won(89%)
These 9 included 7 in 2002 and 2003 when Omagh was not used at all and Tyrone had a 100% home win record ,and as the records show won the NFL division one both years.

I assume the ulster championship home record could be something similar.

GOLD Coast has put forward a bid to host one-half of the forthcoming International Rules series against Ireland in October as Carrara prepares for its return to the Australian sporting landscape.
With the Victorian Government considering an AFL proposal to help fund an Australia-Ireland game potentially on the eve of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Etihad Stadium, Gold Coast boss Travis Auld yesterday confirmed talks between the AFL and Queensland Major Events to host a second game.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/suns-want-irish-game-at-carrara-20110509-1eft8.html#ixzz1M0pX5oZq

There is plenty of money in Aus but they're not giving it away. If you have the right skills and there is demand in that field you'll get very good money.  The economy is booming in some industries such as mining, construction and banking. The mining jobs are mostly west Aus, the construction boom is Queensland after the floods, and banking is Sydney & Melbourne. Check out www.seek.com.au  to get an idea of rates in your job.

To answer the question will it last? The massive export led boom in the iron ore and coal fields to India & China will continue for a good few years because the Aussies produce it so much cheaper than anywhere else, and China's demand is currently insatiable. The commodities success is feeding lots of other industries.

The massive side effect of this resources led boom is the strong aussie dollar. This is making the cost of living dear. If you show up with euros or pounds things are real expensive. The other major side effect is the impact on industries which are in more competitive world markets such as export wine industry or tourism both of which are suffering hard as its too dear, so if you work in tourism then it will be tough to get a job here.

I've been here 18 mths in banking with wife & kids and it s going well. Won't be going back!

If you've got an itch give it a go , you can always go home again.

Nixon stands down


VETERAN player agent Ricky Nixon has stood down from his role as head of Flying Start, the AFL player agency and promoter, citing health reasons and a need to seek treatment for a "substance problem".

In a statement released tonight by email, Nixon said that after 20 years of player management, he was taking an "indefinite break", and that he would seek "help, counselling and appropriate treatment".

The statement noted that he would "go to a rehabilitation clinic to seek treatment for a substance problem that has impacted on my life and my decision-making, particularly over the last eight weeks".

He stated that the break would assist him "to deal with a number of personal health issues. It is important for both my own health and wellbeing and that of my family to do so immediately."

Nixon has been at the centre of a storm after allegations made that he had engaged in a sexual liaison with the girl at the centre of a storm involving St Kilda players. The girl appeared on Sixty Minutes on Sunday night, and made several allegations against Nixon.

These allegations have made his role as a player agent problematic, and have led to an ongoing enquiry by the AFL Players' Association, under the guidance of leading barrister David Galbally, QC.

Nixon stated that in regard to matters under consideration by the AFLPA, "I stand by my original statement in relation to this matter".

Nixon returned from overseas on Sunday night, and made his announcement late on Monday night after consultations with family, friends, and colleagues.

He asked for privacy as he sought "clinical treatment" and apologised to "everyone for the impact caused by these recent events."

His statement follows:

"After 20 years involvement in player management, I am now taking an indefinite break to deal with a number of personal health issues.

"It is important for both my own health and wellbeing and that of my family to do so immediately.

"I have returned to Australia having spent the last two weeks overseas, where I had the opportunity to seek help for my personal issues.

"With the understanding and support of family and close friends, I have decided that I will go to a rehabilitation clinic to seek treatment for a substance problem that has impacted on my life and my decision-making, particularly over the last eight weeks.

"Given recent events and with the encouragement of friends, I believe it is the right time for me to seek help, counselling and appropriate treatment.

"While overseas, I have been in contact with the AFLPA and have stated that I will cooperate fully with the investigation currently being undertaken by David Galbally QC. I stand by my original statement in relation to this matter.

"I am so lucky to have the support of my employees and the players that I manage and while I know this time has not been easy for them I think it is important for both staff and players at Flying Start that I immediately relinquish all responsibilities and activities a player manager would normally undertake.

"I have full faith in the staff at Flying Start to operate as usual without my involvement.

"As someone who has been involved in the football industry for more than 30 years I understand the interest in this story but I do ask for the privacy needed to be able to undertake clinical treatment without the intrusion of the media.

"I also ask that the media leaves my family, friends, staff and players alone. I know these events have caused them enough distress.

"I would like to thank people for the enormous amount of support I have had both here and overseas.

"This is a significant challenge and one that I am committed to get through and coming out a better person. I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone for the impact caused by these recent events."

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/

11 steps for the kildare goal - should've been disallowed