Jim Stynes was appointed Demons president in June 2008. (File pic)

Jim Stynes has stepped down as president of Melbourne Demons.

The Dubliner, 45, has said he will now focus on his health and family.

Stynes was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and has since had a series of tumours removed.

“As Melbourne enters what promises to be an exciting new season, and hopefully exciting new era, I see this an opportune time to step down as Melbourne president,” said Stynes, in a statement posted on the club’s website last night.

“It will give the football club the best chance to be 100 per cent prepared for round one and will give me the time to fully focus on my health and family.

“I am extremely proud of what the board has managed to achieve since I took on the presidency in June 2008, particularly in bringing a greater sense of unity and purpose to the club.

“I have full confidence that Don McLardy and the team will continue that work. Don has my full support to lead the club and the Demons can rely on me to help out in an advisory capacity at any time,” he added.

The announcement came after the Demons board met regarding the role prior to last night’s AGM. Don McLardy is the new president.

“I came into this with Jim, and had a dream that we’d win a premiership and Jim would be the President and I’d be lucky enough to be around him,” said McLardy.

“That’s changed obviously, but I still hope the fairytale comes true. I feel very honoured and humbled that somehow I’ve ended up where I have, because I certainly didn’t set out to get into this position.

“But I’m very conscious that there is a role to be played and a job to be done and we need to do it, as much for Jim as anyone, to make sure all of his efforts don’t come to nothing.”

There was a standing ovation for Stynes after his resignation was announced to the AGM.

He became president of the Melbourne Demons in June 2008, presiding over a period for the club which saw its financial health restored with lingering debts of $5 million eliminated

He did not attend last night’s meeting.

Number 17 stays with the Kerrymen.

New Sydney Swans recruit Tommy Walsh will inherit the number 17 jumper which was previously worn by his fellow Kerryman, Tadhg Kennelly.

The number 17 jersey has become something of a totem among Irish AFL players with Setanta Ó hAilpín also recently donning it as a tribute to Kennelly.

The significance of number 17 comes from March 17, which is, of course, St. Patrick’s Day.

The recently retired Kennelly wore the number for 189 of his 197-game career, including the 2005 premiership, and asked Walsh to take it on for 2012.

The Swans finalised their numbers for 2012 today.

In a statement on their website, the Swans said Tony Armstrong and Mitch Morton have been handed numbers 19 and 10, respectively. Armstrong will take over the number from 2011 retiree Daniel Bradshaw, and will continue the indigenous tradition of the number which was previously worn by Swans games record holder, Michael O’Loughlin.

Morton takes over the number 10 jumper made famous by Bloods legend Bob Pratt, and more recently Barry Mitchell and premiership player Paul Williams. Daniel Currie wore the number for the past three seasons before he was de-listed at the end of the 2011 season.

Tom Mitchell, the Swans first overall pick in November’s AFL Draft, will take over number 6 from retired premiership player, Craig Bolton. Bolton wore the number with distinction for the nine years he was on the Swans’ list.

Fellow draftee Jordan Lockyer has assumed number 23 from Lewis Johnston, who was traded to Adelaide at the end of the season, while Alex Brown will share a locker next to co-captain Adam Goodes after being assigned number 36.

Of the Swans new rookies, Jack Lynch takes over number 42 from premiership player Paul Bevan, while Harry Cunningham will wear 44 and Shane Biggs number 46.

All players retained on the list from last season will wear the same number in 2012, including Campbell Heath who was re-drafted as a rookie following being de-listed at the end of the 2011 season.

Tadhg Kennelly was AFL ambassador during the recent International Rules series.

The AFL has released more details about Tadhg Kennelly’s new ambassador role.

Kennelly will be an assistant coach and mentor for the AIS-AFL Academy level two squad under head coach Michael O’Loughlin and alongside assistant coaches Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd and Glen Jakovich.

Kennelly will mentor a number of youth teams and players that come to Australia aspiring to play AFL at the highest level, including players from the Under-16 World XVIII and South Pacific teams.

AFL International Development Manager Tony Woods said there is a growing overseas interest in Australian Football.

“There are now more than 100,000 people playing our game throughout the world and with that comes a growing pool of talent. In next 12 months the AFL will conduct International Combines in Fiji, New Zealand, Europe, the United States and China.

“We hope to create a clearer pathway for international players and Tadhg’s life experiences playing AFL at the highest level will be invaluable to young players,” he said.

Kennelly said he was looking forward to working with players either taking on the challenge to adopt to new game or striving to be listed with an AFL club.

“I know from my own experience what it is like to learn new skills, understand a different language and overcome homesickness. It is also appealing to work with the very best emerging talent in Australia with Michael O’Loughlin.

“I’m also looking forward to experiencing coaching for the first time and to work closely with the best talent in New South Wales and the ACT,” he said.

Kennelly retired from the Sydney Swans this year after 10 seasons and 197 games.

Jim Stynes with Lance Armstrong. (File pic)

Melbourne Demons President Jim Stynes successfully underwent brain surgery this morning, after doctors told the Dubliner there was more they could do to help with his perennial battle against cancer.

It’s understood the Melbourne Football Club President is now recovering in hospital, with his wife Sam by his side, after the risky operation at the Alfred Hospital.

According to the Facebook page for Stynes’ Jimbo Super Museli Facebook page, his surgeon, Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld is ecstatic with the outcome.

“They got a big removal/clearance rate on the tumour without any damage … All in all, looks like a big success,” the post said.

“Sam is by his side as usual. Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and prayers. We all love you big guy.”

Prior to the surgery, Stynes spoke of the recent renewed medical hope in his battle with cancer, after presenting new Demons recruit Mitch Clark with the No.11 jersey.

The Dubliner revealed on Monday how he felt he was ‘done and dusted’ before doctors shared news he was responding to treatment.

“I was sort of written off there not too long ago and now I’ve been given another crack. The doctors saw something they didn’t see a few weeks ago and saw that I get some more medicine that would keep me going for a little bit more,” said Stynes.

“They started something new and then they didn’t think it would work and now they think it might.

“I’m taking a lot of different medications and they’ve been playing around with a few bits and pieces so some of it seems to be working. It has [worked] in some part of my body. One of the tumours halved in size and that was unexpected … we only found that out a week ago,” he said.

It is not clear whether the reduction in the size of the stomach tumour may be linked to a recent Australia-first medical trial.

Stynes was the first person to test an intravenous drug that could offer hope to other cancer patients.

New role for Kennelly. (File pic)

Tadhg Kennelly will nurture Irish talent for the AFL, after being appointed to a role which includes international player development.

The Kerryman will reportedly identify young Irish talent and organise training camps to put potential recruits through their paces.

The move is bound to raise eyebrows in Ireland, where the GAA may not look kindly on further attempts to lure their amateur players to a professional code.

A former talent-spotter told The Age newspaper that the GAA will react badly to the news.

”Why would the AFL be funding Tadhg Kennelly to go and develop players in Ireland? The GAA will blow their top.

”They’re supposed to be helping one another, and what do they say? ‘We’re going to run development programs for Gaelic kids to come and try and play AFL football so the AFL clubs can come and watch them all and then pick who they want’.

”Imagine if the GAA came over here and went to the camps the AFL run, watched them and said, ‘Right, those six kids, we’re going to offer them €50,000 each to come and play Gaelic footy in Ireland. We know it’s an amateur sport, but who cares? We’ll pay them because then other kids in Australia will follow them’.”

Setanta Ó hAilpín is delighted to return to the place of his birth, Sydney's Western suburbs.

Born in the western suburb of Bankstown in Sydney, almost 29 years ago, former hurler Setanta Ó hAilpín hasn’t missed the irony of his return to the West of the Harbour City. This time he returns to be part of history.

His selection by new AFL franchise Greater Western Sydney sees him become one of the club’s few senior players who will lead the fledgling club into its first ever season of AFL and in doing so cement his name in the sporting history of his birth place.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d end up back here,” Ó hAilpín says.

“I’ve gone full circle around the world. From Sydney to Cork, to Melbourne and then right back to Sydney. You just never know what life has in store for you. It’s ironic in ways. I was lying in bed thinking of how, in a way my life has gone full circle too.”

The 28-year-old was nominated for the draft having been delisted by Carlton after playing 80 games and booting 67 goals in eight seasons for the club. When it was announced that GWS had used their 79th pick to recruit the Irish man, there was a large cheer in the room. While Ó hAilpín wasn’t there he was pleased to hear his move back to Sydney’s West had received such a warm welcome.

“I was out for tea with my girlfriend when I got the call (to say it was done). I heard about the cheer. I thought it was a really nice touch, as that doesn’t usually happen.”

Being one of just three re-cycled players to receive an AFL lifeline at the draft, the former Blue knows he’s beaten the odds to extend his career in Sydney.

“It definitely makes you sit back and realize how lucky you are. You really have to take your opportunity because they don’t come along all the time. It’s a good reminder to players in AFL to make the most of your time, because not everyone gets a second chance.”

The Cork man is happy that he’s got the chance to start over with a new club after two seasons at Carlton which ended in him requesting a trade out of the Melbourne based club.

“It’s great to get a fresh start, especially with a club that’s starting out with so many young kids. I’ve been in that situation before because when I first went to Carlton they were bottom of the table and I got to see how a club can grow and expand. I’m proud to say that I was there when things were tough and that I was part of the club getting to where it is now. Now at GWS, I get the chance to do it all again.”

Ó hAilpín’s very unique sporting background, which has seen him transform himself from hurler to AFL star has prompted GWS coach Kevin Sheedy to announce his belief that the 28-year-old will be an ideal mentor for Aussie Rules convert Israel Folau, who is trying to make the transition from rugby league.

:: Point to prove

“If that’s what Kevin wants, I’ll welcome it with both arms. I hope that I can share my experience with all of the young players. I had eight seasons at Carlton and I learned a lot from that. I was there when we were bottom right to when we were in the top five or six clubs for the last few years.

“It’s an honour to go to GWS as a senior player and get the chance to do that. It’ amazing to have the backing of your coaches starting out and to get those opportunities. It gives you so much more confidence.”

Ó hAilpín says he didn’t expect such a long career when he first started the journey from hurler to Aussie Rules player.

“When I first came out here, I gave myself two years and I decided that if I didn’t make it I could always take my experiences home. I was just grateful for the chance. But to last this long is amazing. I had eight years at Carlton and had it ended after that I would have been sad but I still would have been satisfied with my time.

“Some players don’t even last two years. Also, most players don’t get a second chance. But I feel like I’m a late bloomer anyway because I didn’t start until I was older.”

As for leaving the city that’s been his home for close to a decade, Ó hAilpín says he’d move anywhere to be a professional athlete.

“It’s what I dreamed of as a kid, being a professional athlete. In this game you become accustomed to following your dreams so I didn’t think twice about moving to do that.

“My girlfriend (Shazia) has also been 100 per cent supportive. She knows that you have to take your opportunity when you get it because when it’s all been and gone you can’t get these days yet. She knows that if there was football in Iceland, we could end up going there.”

Ó hAilpín is looking forward to increased Irish support in his new home city as well as having Irish company in the local derby with the Swans now that the club has a new Kerry man on their list.

“There is great Irish support in Melbourne but in Sydney it’s even bigger. That’s the great thing about Irish people, no matter where you go in the world, they’ll always be there to support you.

“It will be great to play against Tommy (Walsh). I wish him the best with the Swans. I was disappointed that he didn’t get to play (senior football) with St Kilda but he’s got a great opportunity now and I’ve got no doubt he’ll make the most of it.”

He’s not the only one who is out to make the most of a new opportunity. After years going in and out of the Carlton side, Ó hAilpín is relishing the chance to show what he’s got at his new club.

“It was frustrating sometimes but that’s just how the coaches (at Carlton) saw it and you just have to get on with it. But now I’m going to GWS it will just be head down and bum up. I’ll be working as hard as I can to get as many games as I can. I definitely have a point to prove.”

No longer blue: Ó hAilpín has joined the AFL's newest franchise.

Setanta Ó hAilpín was smiling last night after being picked up by the AFL’s newest franchise Greater Western Sydney in the national draft.

The 28 year-old Irishman nominated for the draft after being delisted by Carlton after playing 80 games and kicking 67 goals.

GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni welcomed the selection of Ó hAilpín as pick No. 79.

“To have somebody of Setanta’s size and experience will be invaluable for our young team and I’m sure he will have a point to prove now that he has another chance to continue his AFL career,” GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

GWS had voiced their interest in signing Ó hAilpín in the build up to the draft with coach Kevin Sheedy openly praising the former hurler over the past few weeks.

His departure from Carlton marked the end of a historic pairing with compatriot and Laoisman Zach Tuohy, who debuted in round 11 this year against Port Adelaide alongside Ó hAilpín. It made them the first Irish duo to play alongside each other since the famous pairing of Jim Stynes and Sean Wight at Melbourne.

However, the pair’s time on the field together this year was limited as Ó hAilpín suffered a hand injury which derailed much of his season.

O’hAilpin played a career total of 80 games for the Blues, booting 67 goals along the way.

The Giants already have a few Irish links with Cavan player Nicholas Walsh recently relocating to Sydney to take up the role of High Performance coach at the club. The club’s General Manager of Football Operations Graeme Allan, formerly of the Brisbane Lions, recruited Irish players Pearce Hanley and Niall McKeever during his time at the club.

The signing sets up the prospect of an exciting Irish rivalry between GWS and their cross city rivals the Sydney Swans with Kerry’s Tommy Walsh set for an early debut with the Harbour City club.

:: Carlton dismiss Kilkenny reports

Meanwhile, Ó hAilpín’s former club has played down reports that they are preparing to offer Dublin’s Ciaran Kilkenny a two-year contract.

The young player earned many admirers after his strong performances during the Dubs’ progression to the minor football and hurling All-Ireland finals this year.

The Dubs went on to lose in both finals, but the Castleknock youth’s skill led to plenty of chatter.

Kilkenny has yet to complete his Leaving Certificate.

However, several media reports in Ireland have suggested that he was offered a rookie deal with the Blues following a training camp held in Dublin.

Blues coach Gerard Sholly put a number of Irish players through their paces at the University of Limerick grounds in late October, including Kilkenny’s Dublin minor teammates Jack McCaffrey and Emmet O Conghaile.

Louth attacker Ciaran Byrne was also said to have impressed.

A Blues spokesperson told the Irish Echo that no player has been offered a deal.

“Club coaches travelled to Ireland recently and held a training camp for I think about 20 youngsters, Ciaran was one of them,” the spokesperson said.

“At this stage the club has not made any offers to any of the players.”

:: Read Wednesday’s print edition for an interview with Ó hAilpín

Kennelly’s former teammate Craig Bolton was also nominated alongside Brady Rawlings (North Melbourne), Cameron Ling (Geelong),  Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs) and Cameron Mooney (Geelong).

The Madden Medal recognises the retiring player who has contributed the most to the game and the broader community.

“When a player leaves the game it is important to recognise not only what he has achieved as a footballer, but also acknowledge what he has done to develop himself, both personally and professionally,” said AFL Players’ Association GM Steven Alessio.

“At the AFL Players’ Madden Medal we recognise the work retiring players have performed within the community, as well as applaud those who have combined football and education and excelled at both. It is this holistic approach to a footballer’s career which makes this award unique to anything in the industry.”

The Kerryman arrived at the Swans in 2000 as a 17-year-old rookie draft selection.

The Gaelic footballer had left his home in Listowel, Co Kerry to try his luck at a foreign game he had never played before.

This year, Kennelly retired as a veteran of almost 200 games, and the only Irish-born player to have won a premiership medallion.

In 2009 he returned to Ireland to win the Sam Maguire with Kerry.

This year’s Madden Medal winner will be announced on December 1.

Previous Madden Medal winners are Glenn Archer (2007), Robert Harvey (2008), Michael O’Loughlin (2009) and Brett Kirk (2010).

Tadhg Kennelly was AFL ambassador for the series.

The AFL will hold a detailed review of the International Rules Series later this month.

Both the AFL and the GAA have committed to a 2013 series in Ireland and have not held any discussions beyond that, an AFL spokesperson said.

The organisation has admitted to some disappointment at the crowd attendance over the two tests.

Official attendance announced at the final test on the Gold Coast was 12,545.

Under 35,000 people attended the series in 2011.

“The crowds for both test matches in Melbourne and the Gold Coast were below what we would have wished for,” said an AFL spokesperson.

“In each case, we were well short of what we hoped would have attended the two games.”

Let us know your thoughts on the series below.

Irish performance in Melbourne was a highlight, says Tohill.(Pic: File)

Irish Manager Anthony Tohill has said he was “relieved and satisfied” after Ireland’s 21-point win over Australia in the second test of the International Rules series at Metricon stadium in the Gold Coast.

Ireland won the series two nil with a record-breaking 44-point margin in the first test contributing to a 65-point aggregate win.

“I suppose our target before we came out here was to win the series two nil and we did half that job last Friday night and we finished it off tonight so we’re very relieved and satisfied with our victory,” Tohill said.

“Maybe we didn’t play as well as we did last week and they played better than they did last week but still, there was 21 points in it so still a decent enough margin of victory for us. Again, tonight for us was about winning the second test whether it was by a point or 21 points, it didn’t matter.

“Correct me if I’m wrong but I think that we won every quarter so we couldn’t ask for any more from our players. They were fantastic again tonight and we’re very proud of them.”

The former International Rules player said that Ireland’s performance in Melbourne is his best memory from his time involved in the hybrid game as he steps down from managing the side after this series.

“I think probably our performance in Melbourne, on the management side. Nothing beats playing the game and I was lucky enough to have captained Ireland in 2001 to a test series win but that performance last Friday night in Melbourne I thought, was the most complete performance that I saw from any Irish team and for me that probably, other than being captain of Ireland in 2001, I think those two are on a par.”

In a game which was much more physical than that of the first test, six yellow cards in total were awarded and Irish vice-captain Ciaran McKeever said that although he was the recipient of one of them, that he was satisfied with the Irish players ability to deal with the increased physical pressure.

“The boy hit the deck to get a yellow card, but that’s football and you’ve got to get on with it…it was probably more physical than last Friday night. They tried to up the ante and intimidate us but we stood our ground and at the end of the day we weren’t going to back down,” McKeever said.

However, Tohill admitted that he feared that things could get out of control in what was a tempestuous encounter.

“It’s a very, very fine line, it’s a very fine line. For a while tonight I thought it was going to boil over. I’m relieved to get all my players off the pitch and no injuries. There was a time out there tonight I was concerned at where that game was going and I’m just glad that it settled down and we got the game finished and no injuries.

“But it’s a fine line when you start asking for that type of aggression in a game of football because once you send players out there in the heat of the game players will do things and you can’t say, go so hard but don’t go that hard so it’s a fine line,” he said.

Ireland trailed by eight points to one early in the contest but despite being slow to start, Tohill said he never panicked that the Australians could amass the 45 point difference needed for them to win the series on aggregate.

“No I wasn’t too worried to be honest. Had it gone a wee bit further, had it have gone to 16-1 at quarter time I would have been worried but I think it was maybe Stevie Mc (Donnell) who got two brilliant overs in that first quarter.

“Australia had put a lot of effort into those first six or seven minutes and I mean for them to be looking at the scoreboard and to find themselves 9-8 down, I mean it’s very difficult for them to pick themselves up from that after that. Stevie’s shooting tonight particularly in that first quarter was fantastic,” said Tohill.

He heaped praise on the recently retired Tadhg Kennelly and even questioned the sense in him giving up the game while he still has the ability to play at such a high level.

“I don’t know why he’s played his last match. I mean if Tadhg Kennelly can put on that level of performance in this game at international level, why is he retiring from the game? But that’s a matter for Tadhg. I don’t know, but maybe I’m sure his phone will be hopping over the next few days with other clubs trying to avail of his services.

“He’s a wonderful guy to have around the place. He’s a great inspiration for younger players and I would have thought another AFL club would have been snapping him up rather than letting him swan off into retirement. I think he’s too young for that yet.

As it happened: Ireland 50 Australia 29