We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

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  • Bornadog
    WOOF Clubhouse Leader
    • Jan 2007
    • 66774

    We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

    Aidan Arrives

    David McNamara
    3:12 PM Tue 24 November, 2009

    19 year old Aidan O'Shea begins a two week trial at the Kennel







    The Western Bulldogs may have discovered the AFL’s latest Irish recruit, with 19 year old Aidan O’Shea beginning a two week trial at the Club today.

    O’Shea only arrived in Australia last night but that did not stop him from jumping straight into a gruelling pre-season training session, despite the jet lag.

    And the Club has not been taking it easy on O’Shea, one of his first duties this morning was to work the punching bags with new recruit Barry Hall.

    O’Shea who plays gaelic football with County Mayo, will be living with Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson during his stay in Melbourne and says he is really impressed with the setup at the Whitten Oval.

    “The players here are top class and the facilities are brilliant. The first morning was a bit tough but I definitely enjoyed it,” O’Shea said.

    O’Shea says he has been playing close attention to the AFL back home and was relishing the opportunity to train with some of the game’s biggest stars like Captain Brad Johnson and Jason Akermanis.

    He admits that the rigorous fitness regime may take some getting used to but that the physical side of AFL football was enticing.

    “It’s a much longer game, four quarters and the games go for about two hours. So it is not only the endurance but learning the skills of the game with the new ball. So there are a few differences I suppose, but you can definitely be a bit more rough in the tackle, so there are pros and cons,” O’Shea said.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
  • Scraggers
    Premiership Moderator
    • Jun 2008
    • 3565

    #2
    Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

    The luck of the Irish to ya lad ... to be sure, to be sure, to be sure

    Comment

    • Go_Dogs
      Hall of Fame
      • Jan 2007
      • 10162

      #3
      Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

      Looks like a fairly solid unit.

      I must have completely missed this, because this is the first I've heard about it. I'm guessing we have added him as an international rookie?
      Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?

      Comment

      • Mofra
        Hall of Fame
        • Dec 2006
        • 14965

        #4
        Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

        Great news to hear he's not one of the b@stards from County Kerry. He's allowed to play with us now.
        Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

        Comment

        • Mantis
          Hall of Fame
          • Apr 2007
          • 15449

          #5
          Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

          Originally posted by Griffen#16
          Looks like a fairly solid unit.

          I must have completely missed this, because this is the first I've heard about it. I'm guessing we have added him as an international rookie?
          I am reasonably sure he is just out here on a trial basis at present.

          Comment

          • 1eyedog
            Hall of Fame
            • Mar 2008
            • 13237

            #6
            Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

            Looks well over 6'3
            But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.

            Comment

            • SquirrelGrip
              Senior Player
              • Oct 2007
              • 1523

              #7
              Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

              Here's some info about him from Ireland:



              "I'll give him a hug before the first bounce and then I'll run into my pack and give them orders to rip him apart."

              Comment

              • Ozza
                Bulldog Team of the Century
                • Mar 2008
                • 6402

                #8
                Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                I'm completely sick of seeing Irishmen, Canadians, Americans...whoever - that are decent athletes given a chance to play AFL footy when they've never kicked a footy (in anger) before.

                I know we're just 'trialling' him - but the international fad as a whole is annoying me. Would much rather be recruiting a footballer - out of one of the State leagues or Under 18 Competitions.

                Comment

                • G-Mo77
                  Bulldog Team of the Century
                  • Apr 2007
                  • 9876

                  #9
                  Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                  Originally posted by Ozza
                  I'm completely sick of seeing Irishmen, Canadians, Americans...whoever - that are decent athletes given a chance to play AFL footy when they've never kicked a footy (in anger) before.

                  I know we're just 'trialling' him - but the international fad as a whole is annoying me. Would much rather be recruiting a footballer - out of one of the State leagues or Under 18 Competitions.
                  Or deep in Northern Territory leagues.

                  Comment

                  • The Bulldogs Bite
                    Hall of Fame
                    • Dec 2006
                    • 11246

                    #10
                    Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                    Originally posted by Ozza
                    I'm completely sick of seeing Irishmen, Canadians, Americans...whoever - that are decent athletes given a chance to play AFL footy when they've never kicked a footy (in anger) before.

                    I know we're just 'trialling' him - but the international fad as a whole is annoying me. Would much rather be recruiting a footballer - out of one of the State leagues or Under 18 Competitions.
                    My thoughts too.

                    At least the Irishman is a step up from trying to pluck a player out of Fiji. If that wasn't the biggest waste of money, I don't know what is.

                    As you say - if we concentrated on developing and coaching our own, we'd find more players in and around the state leagues.
                    W00F!

                    Comment

                    • LostDoggy
                      WOOF Member
                      • Jan 2007
                      • 8307

                      #11
                      Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                      Originally posted by Mofra
                      Great news to hear he's not one of the b@stards from County Kerry. He's allowed to play with us now.
                      What would your response be if he had been from County Sligo?

                      Comment

                      • LostDoggy
                        WOOF Member
                        • Jan 2007
                        • 8307

                        #12
                        Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                        Sounds like he has played for the Irish equivalent to the dogs

                        Looks a likely type though.

                        Comment

                        • LostDoggy
                          WOOF Member
                          • Jan 2007
                          • 8307

                          #13
                          Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                          Originally posted by dogs_r_barking
                          Sounds like he has played for the Irish equivalent to the dogs

                          Looks a likely type though.
                          Has a bit of ticker too playing with a broken thumb.

                          Comment

                          • LostDoggy
                            WOOF Member
                            • Jan 2007
                            • 8307

                            #14
                            Re: We are Trying an Irishman - Aidan Arrives

                            Originally posted by Mofra
                            Great news to hear he's not one of the b@stards from County Kerry. He's allowed to play with us now.
                            From Kerry stock on both his mothers and fathers side. Go figure.

                            Comment

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