Down’s Jamie O’Reilly has signed a two-year contract with AFL side Richmond Tigers, but admits the move is a risk.
The Loughinisland club-man underwent a three-week trial with the club during the summer, while Antrim player Tomas McCann is also heading out for a trial.
O’Reilly will undergo seven weeks of pre-season training in Australia and after returning home for Christmas, will then head back Down Under.
He told The Irish News: ‘As a young person, it's too good an opportunity to pass up.
‘As well as that I could finish my degree in Business Management at Queen's and get a 2:1, but there is no guarantee of a job.
‘I could spend the next year on the dole and ho hopes of a job. This way I can do something that I enjoy and get paid for it at the same time and get a lot of life skills out of it.
‘The idea of getting paid to play sport for a living obviously appeals to me, but the challenge of it appeals to me too.
‘There's definitely an element of risk involved. It may not work out, but it's a challenge.
‘And the fact that someone actively sought me out and believes I have something to offer was flattering too.’
