AFL to target young Irish talent

The Australian Football League are set to target players from Gaelic football when they launch an extensive recruitment drive in Ireland.

Former professional Australian Rules footballer Ricky Nixon, now managing director of a sports marketing company, plans to place scouts in Ireland to assess young local talent.

They hope to unearth another Sydney Swans' Tadhg Kennelly or Collingwood's Martin Clarke, who both switched codes to play in the AFL.

Nixon has sent a letter to all 16 AFL clubs, hoping to spark interest in the scheme.

Few clubs have contacts in Ireland but a dedicated recruitment strategy, with scouts at school, junior and senior matches, could result in further departures to Australia.

This could also test the already fragile relationship between the AFL and the GAA.