The AFL is tempting Ireland’s true promise
Columnist By Ben Somerford, 22 Oct 2009 Ben Somerford is a Roar Expert
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Irishman, Tommy Walsh, runs laps during a St Kilda training session at Linen House Oval in Moorabbin, Melbourne. Slattery Images
To little fanfare earlier this week, St Kilda secured the services of an Irish lad named Tommy Walsh. But behind the scenes this was a big, big decision for the 2008 Young Gaelic Player of the Year. And in the end, it says a lot about the lure of the big-business, professional game we call Aussie Rules.
Walsh is a son of a gun, who won Gaelic football’s equivalent to the Rising Star award in 2008, so his defection to AFL has rocked the Irish game, whilst also pleasing the premiership-hunting Saints.
In fact, Saints list manager Matthew Drain labelled Walsh ‘the best credentialed player to come out of Ireland’ so this is a big deal.
Anyway, as a lover of all sports, I try to keep an eye on what’s happening in the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, although I’ll admit I’m hardly knowledgeable about the competition.
Nevertheless, witnessing ex-Sydney Swan Tadhg Kennelly help Kerry defeat Cork at Croke Park in the All-Ireland final this year, made me aware of his county teammate Tommy Walsh after he booted 4 crucial points in the decisive match.
But Walsh, 21, is someone who has been known in AFL circles a lot longer than just that match.
St Kilda had been chasing his signature for some time (after player agent Ricky Nixon identified the talent) bringing Walsh out on a one-week trial in December last year, but the Kerry youngster resisted their courtship preferring to stay in his native Ireland.
After all, Walsh was part of a large family of Gaelic football stars and he was ready to follow in the footsteps of his father, Sean, who was a seven-time All-Ireland winner between 1978 and 1986.
Walsh hails from the south-west region of Kerry which is the most successful county in the Irish game and where bloodlines are an important part.
Former Kerry player and popular Gaelic football broadcaster Weeshie Fogarty claims this family tradition is ‘the secret of Kerry’, who have won a record 36 All-Ireland championships.
And Walsh, who won the prestigious honour of being awarded the GAA’s Young Footballer of the Year in 2008, before winning the All-Ireland championship in 2009 with Kerry, was destined for big things in Ireland.
But St Kilda’s enticing offer was enough to tempt him away from Kerry, all the way to Melbourne to play a foreign game in a foreign land.
It is believed Walsh will earn about $50,000 a year on a two-year contract with the Saints, while back in Ireland, Gaelic football isn’t even a professional sport and the youngster had actually taken a year off his studies in IT to work in an engineering firm during 2009.
Upon the announcement of his deal to join St Kilda, Walsh commented, “It was a very tough decision … but it was just too good an opportunity to pass up. I’m not under any illusions about what’s ahead and hopefully it will work out.”
Indeed, the opportunity to play professionally, earn good money and live abroad is something which has enticed young Irish talent to Australian shores in recent years with players like Kennelly, Setanta O’hAilpin, Marty Clarke, Kevin Dyas and Colm Begley following Melbourne’s Jim Stynes and Sean Wight a decade or so earlier.
But Dyas and Clarke’s recent departures represents a trend of Irish players returning home after a few years in Australia, and Kerry coach Jack O’Connor believes Walsh will be back.
Speaking about Walsh, as well as another potential St Kilda addition from Kerry, David Moran, O’Connor said, “The fact is there are more people coming back from Australia than are going out there. One way or the other, they’ll be back playing for Kerry in the future.”
But Nixon believes Walsh could be a template for change, saying, “Too many clubs are in a rush and they don’t think about it long term. Tommy has had a year now to think about it and plan it.
“It certainly has created a bit of a template. We’re not going to rush out and sign a kid this week and stick him on a plane. That’s not going to happen anymore.”
And the well-known player agent has tipped big things for Walsh who he rates highly; “Hopefully he will revolutionise Irish players in the AFL. Most, if not all, have been running midfielders but Tommy is a forward and no Irish player has come to play forward in the AFL … he is a powerhouse player.”
Clearly, though, Irish players in the AFL have been a tad hit-and-miss, but the Saints’ effort to lure a true talent to our shores could provide the template for success and Walsh’s progress will be monitored with keen interest.
And you can count on that interest travelling beyond Australia, all the way back to Ireland where Walsh’s progress will be big news for the GAA who just can’t compete with the AFL’s temptations.
Recommend this story.
October 22nd 2009 @ 11:51am
leeby said | October 22nd 2009 @ 11:51am | Report comment
gaelic will never die from the AFL taking its players.
theres probly about 10 gaelic (irish) players in the last 20 years to make the move – thats hardly enough to kill a sports code.
The lure of money will always be there, and will continue to attract the few with enough talent to take a 2 year trial before getting sent back home. As far as for the Gaelic league, the only affect this has is that it may dent a club of its cup winning ability. The example above with Tommy ‘the hitman’ Walsh is that Kerry loses a superstar, but I doubt they had any trouble at all finding a young Irish kid with above average ability to take his spot on the park.
and because of this – the game goes on.
October 22nd 2009 @ 12:00pm
StickyBuns said | October 22nd 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
bring them in i say. those irish lads need a tan.
October 26th 2009 @ 8:51am
albatross said | October 26th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
http://www.gaa.ie/images/headerImg09/header_images/Image_Fixtures.jpg
October 22nd 2009 @ 12:56pm
Hoy said | October 22nd 2009 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
There must be a lot of money in Gaelic footy. When I was over there it was peak finals games being played, in front of massive crowds (20,000+). It was all over the news etc. If 20,000 pay to get into the ground, where does the money go? They don’t pay players, however I have heard that the good ones get pretty good sponsorship with car companies etc.
For all the talk of these blokes coming over, very very few do actually make it do they? Very much a curiosity though.
October 22nd 2009 @ 1:00pm
Pippinu said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
I think it all goes into the coffers of the GAA!!
October 22nd 2009 @ 1:30pm
Firestarter Bob said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Let’s say a media mogul came to the GAA with a huge financial offer for tv and sponsorship and got ignored. So he then decides to start up a professional Gaelic football competition himself and have teams across all of Europe and one in the USA and Canada. Then the professional Gaelic competition offers all these huge contracts to sign up footballers, and then word reaches Melbourne. How many $ do think loyalty to AFL is worth?
October 22nd 2009 @ 2:34pm
Michael C said | October 22nd 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Good question FstrBob
and that’s entirely possible. There’s been talk in the past about bringing the US into an international rules tri-nations with Ireland and Australia.
What would the AFL guys do?? Well, the ‘cross code’ conversion to that game is far less than the risk involved in heading to the US as a punter…so, that’s one real world comparison. Presently, guys aren’t willing to give up too much of their AFL career for chasing that carrot. Ben Graham realistically had 1 year left when he headed to the US – - but with no guarantees.
We’d probably at least see NRL style movement (such as to Superleague).
For now, anyway – it’s purely hypothetical.
October 22nd 2009 @ 1:09pm
Redb said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
very few make it. It’s more than curiosity though when a Tommy Walsh is signed up.
The biggest problem is getting them use to the ball when they are already well advanced in GAA with the round ball.
Kicking, hand-balling and bouncing a Sherrin is very different to the Gaelic ball. Put them under pressure and newly learnt skills come unstuck.
Redb
October 22nd 2009 @ 1:52pm
Michael C said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Colm Begley is going back home now too, after 30 games (29 Brissie and 1 at StKilda this year – - perhaps if he’d gone to Richmond instead…..)
October 22nd 2009 @ 2:43pm
Redb said | October 22nd 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
Didn’t Richmond pick up an Irish recruit?
October 22nd 2009 @ 8:07pm
bever fever said | October 22nd 2009 @ 8:07pm | Report comment
Bit of a write up on whats going on regarding next seasons irish boys, very interesting.
http://www.worldfootynews.com/
October 22nd 2009 @ 9:59pm
Pippinu said | October 22nd 2009 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
Some interesting stories on that page.
Check out the video of the North American finals – there are some funny aspects, including a goal post leaning at a massive angle, and a few funny things on the field, but they are all obviously of a non-aussie rules background, and it’s quite good to see them having a dip.
Then there’s this very interesting article about the future of the hybrid rules series, which apparently the Irish are missing this autumn (the AFL pulled out fairly late in the piece).
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/1014/1224256618565.html
Interestingly, the Washington Eagles defeated the sailors of an Australian ship on tour by six goals.
October 23rd 2009 @ 5:46pm
Dave1 said | October 23rd 2009 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
The article doesn’t state that the main problem was cultural. when the Australians tried to pick up the ball the Irish would try kick the ball or what ever was closest . Kicking some one is the lowest act you can do.
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=102690
“…..”There is one thing I would like to pass on to the Irish ahead of the revived International Rules series. You can punch an Australian and we won’t be totally insulted. But if you kick us you are going the wrong way about it.”..”
January 24th 2010 @ 9:57am
Pajovic said | January 24th 2010 @ 9:57am | Report comment
You don’t really know what your talking about Dave1. Those Irish GAA players are talented boys and like playing the ball. The biff usually come from the antipodes in fairness. Its a part of your game. It isnt a part of Gaelic footie and usually results in a heavy suspension. Given the structure of the Irish championship, its to be avoided. Poor quality post Dave1.
October 22nd 2009 @ 11:28pm
Jeff Baxter said | October 22nd 2009 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Is there any current pressure in Ireland for the GAA to go professional? What are the chances that might happen? Funny thing is the AFL have an occasional exhibition game (seems to be every 2-3 years at the moment) but the GAA dont seem to bother. With all the irish exiles in the UK you would think they would get a pretty decent crowd. I wouldnt mind catching a game if they did. Especially if they came to the Millenium in Cardiff.
October 23rd 2009 @ 4:35pm
Dave1 said | October 23rd 2009 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
The problem with going professional is that the All-Ireland Football Championship involves 32 teams. They cant all be professional in a population of only 6 million.
October 26th 2009 @ 7:54am
albatross said | October 26th 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
6 million less those who wouldn’t play GAA for any reason whatsoever.
Here’ a clue:
October 23rd 2009 @ 4:24am
pothale said | October 23rd 2009 @ 4:24am | Report comment
There’s occasional talk of it, but the headlines more get made about players falling out with their manager very publicly (Cork) and getting him fired. Player power is on the up. whether that eventually leads to being paid is difficult to tell. It would change the game dramatically. Playing for your village, town or county because of the pride in the jersey and in your locality is a different concept to you’re getting paid to do it, as an incentive.
You may not have heard of the GAA All Stars – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAA_All_Stars_Awards. They draw the best from hurling and football and play exhibition matches in places like Dubai, Boston, San Diego, Buenos Aires and Phoenix, Arizona – men and women.
Teams from London and New York play in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship with the draw taking place today, I think. And there’s clubs in the US, Australia, Europe and Asia but small beans.
October 23rd 2009 @ 6:24am
Jeff Baxter said | October 23rd 2009 @ 6:24am | Report comment
The strange thing is that if they created a london, birmingham, manchester and glasgow team i could see it going great guns. Very strange reading your list of exhibition venues and not seeing a uk city. Irish people and peopl of irsh descent must be getting on for 10% of the population over here.
October 23rd 2009 @ 9:20am
Michael C said | October 23rd 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Perhaps there’s very limited access to the venues in the rest of the UK between soccer and 2 codes of Rugby!!!
Given the AFL exhibition matches get on the Oval. (that’s often surprised me anyway!).
Around the world, there’s a lot of interaction b/w the small fry Gaelic clubs and AFL clubs and often their rather much social ‘season’ is highlighted by an international rules style game against each other.
October 23rd 2009 @ 9:08pm
Jeff Baxter said | October 23rd 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment
Nah mate the stadiums are desperate for cash. The millenium stadium has a massive debt and has seen a downturn in events, both musical and sporting. The fa cup, the league cup, the challenge cup, the play-offs, millenium magic – all gone. They would take anything.
October 23rd 2009 @ 11:26pm
pothale said | October 23rd 2009 @ 11:26pm | Report comment
“Perhaps there’s very limited access to the venues in the rest of the UK between soccer and 2 codes of Rugby!!!”
Regular assumption. It’s not the rest of the UK. It’s the UK – a separate country. So it’s not an intrinsic part of the sports traditionally played there – it would be an import (or export) of a very minority Irish sport.
GAA All Stars have played in London and New York before. The historic emigration to UK has slowed considerably in the last two decades or more. In terms of traditional ex-pat or those claiming Irish heritage, the US is still the largest market by far, I would figure.
October 24th 2009 @ 5:03am
Jeff Baxter said | October 24th 2009 @ 5:03am | Report comment
According to wiki 6 million people in the uk have an irish grandparent. There are over 600,000 irish born people in england alone. Why is it a minority irish sport? I thought it was a major sport over there.
October 24th 2009 @ 9:57am
AndyRoo said | October 24th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
Crode park had a no foreign games rule (i.e no english games) for a long time…. that probably doesn’t promote the game very well in Protestant england.
October 25th 2009 @ 8:12am
Jeff Baxter said | October 25th 2009 @ 8:12am | Report comment
that really doesnt matter that much to people. the days of discussing theology on the streets or burning guy fawkes is long gone. besides as i just mentioned 600,000 irish born people in the england alone, 6 million with an irish grandparent. just look at the size of st patricks day in london. just seems strange that they dont have a pretty well attended all stars annual game in london. i suppose the lack of commercial pressure might explain it.
October 25th 2009 @ 9:15am
michaelunt said | October 25th 2009 @ 9:15am | Report comment
It could be the simple fact that neither Gaelic Football (nor AFL for that matter) translate outside their original regions of support. In other words, on an international basis they are both dead sports.
November 3rd 2009 @ 6:15pm
Dave1 said | November 3rd 2009 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
I dont think its suprising that AFL exhibition matches get on the Oval.
From 1989-2000 it was known as the The Foster’s Oval and from 2001-2003,The AMP Oval
October 23rd 2009 @ 9:54am
Republican said | October 23rd 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Pippinu
I reckon the Vic U18′s will probably be done by the NZ Falcons 20y.o’s this weekend. Much Kiwi chest rthumping will ensue furthering their claim to Hawthorn. Will they get an AFL gig before Tassie the NT and the ACT I wonder?
Crickey I hope not!
October 23rd 2009 @ 10:09am
Michael C said | October 23rd 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
don’t forget it’s only the VAFA under 18s, and a comp that’s only been running 1 season too.
October 23rd 2009 @ 10:59am
Republican said | October 23rd 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Yes I know Michael but that will matter not one iota and will still ensure those cocky Kiwis milk it for all it’s worth. This will mean NZ Herald coverage if it happens, believe me.
For a Kiwi side to beat us at anything is hard enough to swallow however, this will be the thin edge of the wedge methinks and the ultimate humiliation to have a country of just 4 – 5mill, represented by a bunch Union players in the main who only play the game for the novelty and fitness benefits in their off season, defeat us at our own national game. Fair dinkum, you will not hear the end of it.
This could be an evolution we will forever rue if they really do take a shine to the game; are you prepared for that distinct ‘pissabolity’ mate because I’m not sure I am?
October 23rd 2009 @ 11:08am
Michael C said | October 23rd 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
certainly if they could manage it, it’d be a good sign……of sorts.
Hopefully at very least, it’s a competitive game and sets up an ongoing relationship b/w the VAFA and footy in NZ.
Correct that many of the NZ locals who play the game do so in summer instead of cricket and for the fitness/kicking skills benefits – - – - as has been recognised by the All-Blacks (via Michael Byrne and now working closer with swans and Longmire) and the Wellington Hurricanes (‘hybrid’ match vs Wellington Tigers).
If that’s what it takes to get guys exposed to the game….that’s fine. The main thing is to get people playing it and the odd one…..like a LIam Ackland…..decides this is the game for me……and assists some kids in stepping OUT of the shadow of their Rugby legend parents perhaps.
The main thing is…..as long as the game would require fair dinkum Union guys to drop 10Kgs and actually learn how to kick a ball……for the time being, we should be pretty safe.
And if they do beat the VAFA U18s,…..we’ll just send Maffra over again to whip the Falcons!!
October 23rd 2009 @ 12:45pm
Republican said | October 23rd 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
To be sure Michael.
Mine was a little tongue in cheek but hey, i believe the Falcons will win this contest which will prove to be a bit of a coup for the game there .
My main opposition to NZ getting a wiff for’ real footy’ is that I believe the bankers may see this as an opportunity to create the illusion of our game appearing international at the expense of the many more deserving local demos. i know I sound like a broken record in this respect, but this to me would be an incrediblly damaging move by the AFl as it would disenfranchise the likes of the ACT for a long long time into the future. if they were to go offshore at all it would be NZ due to its corporate potential and georaphic proximity. I believe Saffa and PNG are better options based on shere talent however I dont think that would ever seriously be considered by them.
Demitriou has hinted at expanding to a possible 20 teams and named Tassie in the mix thank goodness however, the ACT is not being considered it would seem.
For a purely symbolic point of view, imagine a side in Auckland filled to the brim with Aussies including Canberrans while the ACT and other local demos simply watched on in disbelief. Canberra, as I have previously stated should have a presence based on its status as the nations capital above and beyond any other code in the country. That we are still hoping to be acknowledged to this end, by our national games governiong body, is an utter disgrace in my humble opinion.
i would not put it past the AFL to continue down the corporate expedient path to growth and for me this is unacceptable!
Go the mighty Maffra Eagles!
Cheers
October 23rd 2009 @ 1:00pm
Redb said | October 23rd 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
very much doubt NZ would get in before Tassie or a NT team. WS will be enough to bed down in the next 10 years. Tas and NT would start up pretty quickly, NZ would be like WS.
The Hawthorn program is still very early days.
Redb
October 23rd 2009 @ 2:10pm
AndyRoo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
In the future say perhaps June/July 2018 they should have 4 full rounds of AFL footy in NZ. That would really take the game to the kiwis too see if they like it
October 23rd 2009 @ 1:57pm
Michael C said | October 23rd 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
I doubt the commission or clubs would have given any thought other than dismissive of off shore based teams – to now and at least for the foreseeable future.
Let’s wait first and see whether within 10 years the South AFrican efforts produce some AFL players or not.
October 25th 2009 @ 7:21am
michaelunt said | October 25th 2009 @ 7:21am | Report comment
South Africa? I think most the boys there will be playing Football and the rest Rugby. AFL has absolutely no chance in South Africa. None whatsoever. The World Cup will put whatever tiny chances the AFL ever had (that is none at all) in the deluded fantasies category.
October 25th 2009 @ 7:37am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 7:37am | Report comment
Yes, that’s likely, that a successful WC will quash any other developments – although it has to be said that South Africa is pretty hopeless at the moment, and while FIFA try and do their very best to help host nations get out of the first round, they many not be able to do too much for South Africa.
Anyway, there are 7,800 registered players in South Africa – not huge, but a decent start.
October 25th 2009 @ 7:40am
michaelunt said | October 25th 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
No there are 7800 kids in SA that have been through three week AUSKICK courses in South Africa who now get counted as registered players by the AFL so AFL fanatics like you can pretend you have an international presence.
We have hear it all before.
October 25th 2009 @ 9:26am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I am reminded of the SBS film crew who visited South Africa to get some images in the lead up to the World Cup – and on the way out of the airport – the very first thing they came across was a game of aussie rules!!
October 25th 2009 @ 9:30am
michaelunt said | October 25th 2009 @ 9:30am | Report comment
A classic effort Pip – yes you rule the world. By the way go to Hobart drive over the bridge from the airport and the first thing you will see is a Rugby Ground – its the last one you will see as well.
These little anecdotes of yours might make you feel better about how “BIG’ AFL is but you are peeing in the wind my friend.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:12am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Rugby has a solid, loyal following in Tassie.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:24am
michaelunt said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Is that so Pippinu? – well really my friend you have no idea as I play Rugby in Tassie and I happen to know how weak the competition is. For Gods sake man give it away.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:32am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:32am | Report comment
I said it has a loyal following – I didn’t say anything about the competition.
At least we all now have a bit of an idea at where this chip on the shoulder is coming from.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:41am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
I repeat – I said there is a loyal following for rugby in Tassie – that’s all I said – I’ve met plenty of rugby people from Tassie.
In fact friends of mine billeted a Tasmanian school boy team in Canberra in the early 90s.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:50am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Well – your constant attack on AFL and AFL supporters indicates a chip on your shoulder.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:54am
Pippinu said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
You might have to keep going then.
Although I should point out that I doubt I have ever descrived Australian Football as the best game in the world.
My vote would be for korfball.
October 25th 2009 @ 10:58am
Norm said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
and pippy boy does have those delusions of grandeur michaelunt. And as for aussie rules in Sth Africa..it’s pathetic.
October 25th 2009 @ 9:28pm
Redb said | October 25th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Pip,
Having to put up with a few oxygen thieves on this thread.
Redb