One of Kilkenny’s brightest hurling talents could be set for professional AFL career

The best of Irish GAA talent are Down Under this week looking for a a chance at playing professionally.

Eight young GAA players from across the country, including Kilkenny's All-Ireland minor winning captain from last year Darragh Joyce, and Tipperary U21 and senior star Colin O'Riordan, are looking to impress scouts at an AFL Combine. The event, which takes place in Melbourne's Etihad Stadium, will see players put through various physical tests such as their sprinting ability over 20 metres, box jumps as well as running jumps, and endurance tests like the classic bleep test and a time trial. AFL skills are also likely to be a key part of the combine as players are faced with drills in handling, kicking and catching. Joyce and O'Riordan are understood to be the two most high profile players linked to the trials that has seen several Irish players sign up with AFL sides in the past. Joyce was believed to have been the star performer at the AFL European Combine held in DCU at the start of the year.