Irishman Liam O'Connell signs with St Kilda

[saintsRrising]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic ... 16869.html

Another promising Gaelic footballer is set for a career in the AFL with Cork's Liam O'Connell signing for St Kilda.
O'Connell played a premier senior championship game for Ballincollig after which it was confirmed by the club's manager and former Cork player Podsie O'Mahony that the player would be turning his focus to a professional career with the Melbourne-based club in the coming weeks.

O'Connell is 20 and was a member of the Cork U-20 team this year.

He lived in Australia between the ages of four and 11 so he has knowledge of the game.

O'Connell's athleticism has apparently drawn St Kilda to him. They are one of a number of clubs who have been in Ireland in recent weeks to assess potential players.

[D.B.Cooper]

Welcome Liam, what a shame former Cork player Podsie O'Mahony wasn't up to being drafted.
Pretty sure he'd have been the first Podsie on an AFL list.

[perfectionist]

Hopefully he's 200cm tall, runs 100m in 10 seconds, can do back to back marathons and can lift 135kg.

[asiu]

He lived in Australia between the ages of four and 11 so he has knowledge of the game.

that bit reads like a good thing

be helpful if he turned out to be gun
... things do seem to be going our way of late

[Otiman]

I lived in Australia between the ages of 4 and 11, and I'm no good at footy.

[Sainter_Dad]

I lived in Australia between the ages of 4 and 11, and I'm no good at footy.

But have you played a premier senior championship game for Ballincollig

[saintsRrising]

and I'm no good at footy.

Yes, I have read your posts

[Sanctorum]

Also reported in the Irish Examiner:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa ... 08886.html

[asiu]

Ballincollig boss and former Cork half-forward O’Mahony wished O’Connell well on his AFL adventure, as did his Ballincollig teammates. Centre-back Liam Jennings remarked on social media that St Kilda “have got a gem”.

a gem

alrighty whities
... i have a good feeling about this dude
(fwtw)

[Yorkeys]

Try river dancing to oh when the Saints come marching in.

[shanegrambeau]

He lived in Australia between the ages of four and 11 so he has knowledge of the game.

…..

Mnnnn..Really?

With a name like Liam O’Donnell, you’d easily think he’d could be Chinese heritage.

Well, welcome..

[Banger9798]

He must be good....they've already named the main Street in Dublin after him

[saynta]

Good size too. Very athletic and 189cm.

[King Max]

Are we sure it's not just Leo Connolly with a different haircut and a fake Irish accent.

[older saint]

Trivia question for the older people here - who remembers the name of the first Irish guy we recruited. Played 3 games off memory?

[longtimesaint]

Trivia question for the older people here - who remembers the name of the first Irish guy we recruited. Played 3 games off memory?

Dermot McNicholl in about 1988 -90

[older saint]

Trivia question for the older people here - who remembers the name of the first Irish guy we recruited. Played 3 games off memory?

Dermot McNicholl in about 1988 -90

Love your work

[shanegrambeau]

Trivia question

Who were your favorite Mc (something) or Mac (Something) players over the years?

[older saint]

Trivia question

Who were your favorite Mc (something) or Mac (Something) players over the years?

Mc Adam and Mc Conville for me

[longtimesaint]

Ben McEvoy - pity he didn’t play his whole career with Saints

[Sainternist]

Trivia question for the older people here - who remembers the name of the first Irish guy we recruited. Played 3 games off memory?

Dermot McNicholl in about 1988 -90

Yeah, Dermott McNicholl played just 3 games for St.Kilda in 1990. I remember being excited at the prospect of us perhaps having the next Jimmy Stynes or Sean Wight, but I guess it was a very difficult transition for him to make.

[ace]

He lived in Australia between the ages of four and 11 so he has knowledge of the game.

…..

He's the guy in red