Cork hurling has been dealt a blow with the news that Setanta Ó hAilpín is set to sign a two-year rookie contract with Australian Rules side Carlton. Ó hAilpín is one of the most marketable and recognisable faces in GAA, and made his mark with a string of fine performances with Cork last season.
The 20-year-old star picked up the Young Hurler of the Year award after being selected in the All Star team earlier in the week. However, it was his footballing skills that impressed Carlton enough to take him on as one of their seven new-comers in the pre-season draft.
A spokesman for the Melbourne-based club said: "Plans to sign a two-year deal with the player are well advanced. The player has already been introduced to teammates and manager Denis Pagan and has made a good impression. The club believes that he could be a huge hit with the fans here."
Ó hAilpín is unlikely to be the only GAA star to make the switch to Aussie rules before the start of the new season, with Graham Canty, Steven McDonnell, Sean Marty Lockhart and Ciaran McManus all being linked to moves Down Under.
Filed by Rob Wright
