Marty Clarke returns for Collingwood against the Sydney Swans tonight

Tommy Walsh has been dropped to the reserves by Sydney Swans coach, John Longmire.

The Kerryman was elevated to the seniors last week but has paid the price for a tepid performance against the Fremantle Dockers in which he accumulated just five possessions.

He also blew an opportunity to score in the final quarter, kicking out on the full when any score may have had an impact on the result which finished in a draw.

Walsh will now return to the reserves.

There has been more positive news for compatriot Marty Clarke who has been recalled for Collingwood.

The talented Down-man has enjoyed an excellent 2013 but sat out last week’s win over Geelong through illness.

Coach Nathan Buckley has overlooked Clarke’s Irish team-mate Caolan Mooney once again however.

Mooney scored a goal in the Magpies’ reserves win over Geelong last weekend in the VFL.

Setanta Ó hAilpín is named among the emergencies for GWS Giants after missing a couple of weeks for personal reasons.

The Giants are a 16/1 chance to upset West Coast Eagles in Sydney on Saturday.

Tyrone-born Aidan Corr has held his spot for GWS.

Meanwhile, Pearce Hanley will line up against compatriot Zach Tuohy as Brisbane and Carlton go head-to-head at The Gabba.

Hanley has been in sparkling form and the Lions will be looking to capitalise on their upset win over Essendon last weekend.

The Blues go into the match as favourites after winning three of their last four but the Lions will be hard to beat at home in Brisbane.

Caolan Mooney and his dog Ali in Collingwood gear. Pic: Twitter

Caolan Mooney has been included in the Collingwood squad to face Fremantle this weekend in Perth.

It is fitting reward for the young Irishman who has been working hard in the reserves since recovering form an injury.

Last weekend, he scored five goals for the Magpie reserves and his good form has caught the eye of head coach Nathan Buckley.

Mooney is out of contract at the end of this season and has admitted to concern over his future at the club.

Last week, he told Collingwoodfc.com.au: “The aim for me this year is just to get another contract otherwise I’m back to Ireland.”

The 20-year-old’s elevation to the senior team for the first time since August last year.

This will be his fifth AFL appearance and he will run out beside fellow Down-man Marty Clarke who is in a vein of good form for the Pies.

Clarke has played every game this season, accumulating an average of 19 disposals.

Elsewhere, Setanta OhAilpin will miss the GWS Giants clash with Adelaide. The big Corkman is fit to play but is unavailable for personal reasons. The Irish Echo understands that he will return to action in Round 8.

Irish-born teenager Aidan Corr has held onto his place however and will play for the Giants at Skoda Stadium.

Zach Tuohy lines out for the Carlton Blues as they seek to cement their top eight credentials against St Kilda on Sunday.

Pearce Hanley will be looking to maintain his stellar season for the Lions against the West Coast Eagles in Brisbane. Compatriot Niall McKeever continues to be overlooked for senior selection.

Also on the sidelines is the Sydney Swans Tommy Walsh, who is once again named as an emergency for the Swans clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.

The Grand Final rematch will be the game of the round.

A teenager originally from Brocagh Co Tyrone is to begin his AFL career this weekend with the GWS Giants.

Aidan Corr, who came to Australia at the age of three with parents Raymond and Catherine, and siblings Elaine, Cathal and Izzie, becomes the latest Irish-born player to play senior footy.

He gets his opportunity replacing injured co-captain Phil Davis in the backline for this week’s clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Mentored by Tadhg Kennelly and befriended by Setanta Ó hAilpín, Corr very much admires the Irish players who adapted to the Aussie code.

“Definitely (I look up to the Irish AFL players that have come before),” he told AAP. “It’s good to have Setanta around the club, I can talk to him about how hard it is not having family around.

“And I had Tadhg Kennelly as my mentor at the AIS program, it was good to talk to him and he helped me.”

Tyrone-born GWS Giants player Aidan Corr, who will debut in the AFL this weekend. Pic: GWS Giants

Essendon have shown a ruthless streak in their 5-0 start to the season and the Giants are long outsiders in the match but Corr’s not too fussed.

“I’m just excited. I can’t wait,” he said.

Sadly Setanta Ó hAilpín will miss the match with a calf strain.

Aidan is not the first in his family to play AFL. His brother Aidan played for St Kilda and Collingwood.

His dad played basketball for Ireland and was Gaelic football coach for his home village of Brocagh.

Although he is glad his parents took a punt on Australia, he still sees Ireland as his home.

“Ireland is very important to me,” he told the Coalisland Post last year. “It’s where I’m from and I’ll never forget it, especially with all my family still over there.”

A calf strain has ruled Setanta out for a week.

Setanta Ó hAilpín will miss Saturday’s match against Essendon with a calf injury.

Ó hAilpín, who has kicked eight goals in his first two games back from a knee injury, is expected to return for the Giants in the round seven match against Adelaide at Skoda Stadium.

Meanwhile, Pearce Hanley returns from his one-game suspension for the Lions’ trip to Sydney this weekend.

The ban ended the Mayo native’s 56-straight run of consecutive games for the Lions.

Tommy Walsh did not make an appearance for the Swans’ historic Anzac Day clash with St Kilda in Wellington but he will be waiting should John Longmire opt to use him instead of Sam Reid.

Brisbane Lions star Pearce Hanley (File Pic)

Pearce Hanley’s streak of 56 consecutive AFL matches will come to an end this Sunday after the Brisbane Lion received a one-match suspension from the AFL Match Review Panel.

Hanley was charged with a Level Two striking offence against North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas during the third quarter of their Round 4 match.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his one-match sanction remained at one match, even with an early plea.

The 24 year-old previously held the second longest current streak of consecutive matches at the Club – behind teammate Jack Redden who has played 80 straight games.

Hanley had sustained an injury in the clash with North Melbourne so his suspension may be opportune.

The Mayo-man has impressed this season. There is a feature interview with him in the latest print edition of the Irish Echo, now on sale.

In better news for the Irish contingent, Tommy Walsh is in New Zealand with the Sydney Swans having been named in an extended 25-man squad for the Anzac Day clash against St Kilda in Wellington.

The Kerryman has impressed for the Swans reserves in recent weeks but coach John Longmire has shown that he is reluctant to tinker with the starting 22.

Setanta Ó hAilpín will be desperate to build on his impressive five-goal haul against the Melbourne Demons last week. The GWS Giants play the Gold Coast Suns in Sydney.

Setanta Ó hAilpín has exploded back onto the AFL scene with five goals for Greater Western Sydney against Melbourne Demons in his first game since sustaining a season ending knee injury almost 12 months ago.

The only part of the performance that topped his goal spree was the jubilant celebrations that followed each major. Clearly ecstatic to be back, his post-goal reactions dominated social media conversation for the duration of the game.

The video above shows the Irishman celebrating wildly after scoring his first goal ion his first game back.

Unfortunately though, his five goal, three behind tally didn’t lead to Greater Western Sydney’s first victory of the season.

Instead a late surge by the Melbourne Demons ensured them their first, and much needed win.

Setanta announced his return with five goals against the Dees.

Having been on the end of some severe beatings so far this season and then implicated in the Australian sports anti-doping investigation, the Dees finally gave their fans some hope with a come from behind 41-point win.

Trailing by 19 points at three quarter time the beloved club of Irish AFL legend Jim Stynes had the best quarter in their history kicking 12 goals and a behind in the final term.

Despite the result there’s no doubting that GWS coach Kevin Sheedy will be happy with the return display of the Corkman who matched the five goal haul he managed for the reserves a week earlier in the cauldron that is the MCG on a Sunday.

Meanwhile, Martin Clarke prepared for Collingwood’s blockbuster Anzac Day clash with Essendon on Thursday by notching up his second goal of the season in the Pies’ 34-point win over Richmond. The 25-year-old continued his solid start to the season with a 20-disposal haul.

It was also a good weekend for Zach Tuohy as his Carlton side secured their first win of the season under new coach Mick Malthouse. Tuohy racked up 17 disposals in the Blues 24-point win over the West Coast Eagles in Perth.

After an explosive start to the season, Brisbane Lions’ Pearce Hanley was stopped in his tracks. The talented Irishman was forced to watch as his side capitulated against North Melbourne as he succumbed to injury.

The former Gaelic footballer left the field in the third quarter with a knee complaint and spent the rest of the game icing it. Incredibly the Mayo-man had done enough to secure his place on the best performers list before the leaving the field as the Lions suffered a 63-point thumping at the hands of North Melbourne

On a brighter note, Hanley’s compatriot Niall McKeever kicked his first goal of the season for the Lions. The 24-year-old racked up 10 disposals in his second game so far this year.

Yet to play senior football in season 2013 Tommy Walsh kicked five goals for the Sydney Swans reserves following up a goal blitz of seven a week earlier.

Following a pre-season of injury setbacks including a shoulder reconstruction, back and hamstring lay offs no doubt the Kerry man is eager for a slot in the senior set up.

Pick up Wednesday’s Irish Echo to read our interview with Pearce Hanley.

Setanta  OhAilpin

Setanta Ó hAilpín will make his long-awaited comeback for the Giants  against Melbourne at the MCG this Sunday after almost a year on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Ó hAilpin played just a half of football for the Giants in 2012 before rupturing his ACL in Round 6 against his former club, Carlton. He had kicked two goals before injuring his knee.

The 199cm Corkman is set to play at full forward against Melbourne in place of young star Jonathon Patton who tore his ACL against St Kilda in Round 3.

Greater Western Sydney Giants Coach Kevin Sheedy said that he was thrilled to see Setanta returning to the squad after a long rehabilitation.

“He turned up for an hour last year… then did a knee,” Sheedy said with a rye smile. “Obviously losing Jonny Patton is a bit of a blow for us but Setanta deserves this opportunity after kicking five goals last week (in the reserves).

“Getting an experienced player in is a bonus for us as well. Melbourne beat us last year and we know that but this is really a final for us, both teams are searching for our first win.”

Watch Setanta in action for GWS Giants against Ainslie below.

Sheedy also forecast a number of changes to the Giants squad this week after a disappointing loss to St Kilda in Canberra.

“If you lose by a couple of ten goal loses you need to take responsibility in our second year as a whole group… The seconds had a good win so we will make five or six changes.”

Ó hAilpin said while he was looking forward to pulling on the boots for the senior side at the MCG on Sunday, he felt for Patton and hoped that the club and entire AFL Community would be behind the former number one draft pick.

“I was deeply disappointed when I did my knee. It was devastating, all you want to do is put your best foot forward and help out these young kids out but it wasn’t to be,” Ó hAilpin said.

“Now we just need to get behind Jonny. I really feel for him, I had twelve months on the side lines.

“It’s a long and tough road but we’ve got good strength and conditioning staff here and I have no doubt that he will come back as a stronger and better person. It will make him as a player because you don’t really know yourself until you get a long term injury.”

Setanta Ó hAilpín is helping the AFL in its efforts to to reach out to multicultural communities.

AFL star Setanta Ó hAilpín is working hard on and off the pitch as he continues his rehabilitation from injury and preaches the footy gospel to multicultural communities across New South Wales.

The GWS Giants man was recently appointed as the AFL’s multicultural ambassador in New South Wales and, as he explains to the Irish Echo, it is a role he is embracing enthusiastically.

“Obviously, I’m humbled and honoured to be a part of it, coming from a multicultural background myself – being Irish and Fijian. I guess when they approached me, it was something that I’d often wanted to do,” he says.

Ó hAilpín says being in Western Sydney – where he was born before moving to Cork – shows him how “massively multicultural and steeped in ethnic groups” that part of the city is.

While Ó hAilpín says he will work hard to engage communities in the GWS hinterland, he is keen too to draw in the high numbers of Irish people living closer to the city.

“As a multicultural ambassador, I can deepen my connection with diverse communities. It gives me an opportunity to meet young people and their families and share my passion for the game and engage people into participating, no matter what game [it is],” he says.

Ó hAilpín is aware of the power of sport as an icebreaker for children from multicultural upbringings, like his own.

“We’re working tirelessly towards engaging multicultural communities and it’s a big part of our game. We’ve got to grow not just in Australia but around the continent.”

With Kerryman Tadhg Kennelly charged with leading the AFL’s international talent hunt, the pair also find themselves comparing notes on how best to bed in new converts to the game. They speak “on a regular basis”, he says.

“Myself and Tadhg have often spoke about that – the hardship of leaving your family and your country. But I guess, as you can see with the economic downturn, more people are leaving Ireland. I guess it’s just another avenue to go down,” he says.

With Irish families coming to Australia, he hopes Irish kids can be given the opportunity to progress through to the top level of AFL.

“It would be great in ten years time to see Irish kids playing with Sydney or GWS,” he says.

He believes the infrastructure for code-swapping players has vastly improved since he first joined Carlton ten years ago as a teenager.

“The way kids are being looked after is ten times better. I guess the infrastructure is there in all the clubs develop each international player. Whereas when I first came and Tadhg, they didn’t have much of an infrastructure there to develop players coming from different codes.”

He believes an understanding of past players has helped to improve this process at many clubs.

Ó hAilpín is excited about multicultural trials being held across Sydney by AFL NSW this week.

“I myself like to see people coming from different necks of the woods, coming in and trying their hand at AFL. You never know, at various different camps, you could inherit a star of the future – which one day we’re hoping to do.”

Now at GWS, where he has a contract until the end of this year, he is focused on recovering from the ACL injury that ruled him out for 2012 on hisvery first game of the season. The club’s medical team is happy with his recovery.

“They’ve said progress is going very well. I’m ahead of schedule by four or five weeks, which is very pleasing to hear,” he said.

“The last bit of my rehab is getting through games unscathed, so progressively gaining game time and getting it up and up so I can play four quarters consistently.”

Getting through the year without injury and contributing to GWS is high on his priority list, but Ó hAilpín also has his eye on the upcoming International Rules series, following the appointment of new Ireland manager Paul Earley.

“Definitely, a passion of mine is to represent my country,” he says. “It’s not until you leave the country that you understand how important it is to pull on an Irish guernsey.”

He believes there are a number of Irish players, who could impress this year.

“I think Pearce [Hanley] flies under the radar quite a lot, not much AFL goes on up there [in Queensland]..

“I’ve watched him closely since he’s got here and he’s amazing. I guess if there’s someone that’s going to emulate the feats of Jim Stynes or Tadhg Kennelly it’ll be Pearce himself. He’s travelling fantastically. It shows in his result in the best and fairest, coming in the top five. He’s really another one to watch out there.”

He also names Zach Tuohy and Martin Clarke as ones to look out for in the upcoming season.

Ó hAilpín says the doping scandal that has rocked Australian sport in recent weeks is “an eye-opener”.

He is confident that the AFL and the Australian Anti-Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) are tackling the situation.

“On a personal note, we’re just trying to do everything we can possible along with our backroom staff. I have full confidence that they’re doing everything they can, that we’re doing everything we can and that we’re not doing anything outside of the boundaries.”

Setanta Ó hAilpín receives his Community Award from GWS Giants CEO Richard Griffiths and Melissa Doyle from Channel Seven's Sunrise breakfast show.

Irish Aussie Rules star Setanta Ó hAilpín has committed himself to Australia and says he’s never been happier.

The former Carlton player recently signed a new one-year contract with the GWS Giants in western Sydney, which will see him through the 2013 season.

His coach, Kevin Sheedy, has earmarked him as a key player for GWS next year and praised his passion for the game.

He was also recently honoured with a community award by the club for his mentoring work off the field.

The avalanche of good news marks the end of a difficult period for the 29-year-old who was delisted by Carlton at the end of 2011 and then suffered a potentially career-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his first AFL game for GWS, against Carlton, in May.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Echo, Setanta said he was looking forward to getting back on the field.

“After last year’s disappointment, I’m just keen to have a good pre-season and making an impact next year,” he said.

“I am 26 weeks into my ACL rehab so I’m happy with the way everything is progressing. The club staff are very pleased with my recovery so it’s all good.”

The GWS move came at the perfect time for the Corkman, who was not suited by the pressure cooker atmosphere of footy in Melbourne.

“I couldn’t be happier [at GWS],” he said.

“A fresh start was what I needed. In Melbourne, footy is big business and you can get caught up in it. In Sydney, it’s much more laid back. Football is not on your mind 24/7.”

Despite the setbacks of 2011 and his delisting by Carlton, Ó hAilpín said he has never considered returning to Ireland.

“It never entered my mind [to go back],” he said.

The two-metre giant has committed himself to staying in Australia.

“When I finish football, I won’t be going home anyway. I really love Australia. It’s given me a lot. I see this place as my home now. It’s a great place. One day, I’d like to get married and have kids and I’d like to raise a family here. Especially with the recession back home the way it’s going.”

His injury in May forced him off the field but allowed him to explore other club roles.

In particular, he worked as an outreach ambassador for GWS, working with disadvantaged groups, visiting hospitals and country towns to both promote the club and the game.

His work resulted in him being honoured by the club. He was recently given the inaugural Lend Lease GIANT Footprint Community Award for 2012.

The award is dedicated to the player who has made an outstanding contribution to the local Greater Western Sydney and ACT Communities and was presented by Giants number one ticket holder Melissa Doyle at the Kevin Sheedy Medal dinner.

Giants Chief Operating Officer Richard Griffith said that Ó hAilpín was an outstanding character and a deserving recipient of the inaugural community award.

“Setanta demonstrated a commitment to the community over and above what would normally be expected at an AFL club,” Griffith said.

“Clearly it was a frustrating year given his long term ACL injury but his character shone through.

“His willingness to travel around the state and accept any request that the club may have asked of him was always met. He’s a fine citizen and an excellent ambassador for both the club and the AFL,” he said.

Setanta said he was deeply honoured to get the award and it has inspired him to look beyond his playing days to a pastoral role within footy.

“When I finish football I would like to continue to work with the Giants maybe in the welfare area. Coming from my background, having left home as a young man to come to a new culture, I think I can help younger players who might be coming here to play football.”

He added: “They have no family, they have to begin again and create new friendships. That’s what I’m about, trying to help as many people as I can here.”

Ó hAilpín meets the Minister for Sport and Multicultural Affairs, Kate Lundy, at the GWS home ground, Skoda Stadium earlier this year.

He received more plaudits last week when legendary coach Kevin Sheedy described him as “one of the most passionate people I’ve met in AFL”.

“His passion is brilliant, you can’t beat it,” Sheedy said of the Irishman, who he has earmarked as fulfilling the role left by rugby league convert Israel Folau who decided to leave the club and the game last month.

Setanta said the experience of becoming a professional sportsman is something he would recommend to young GAA players in Ireland.

“Any young kid in Ireland, if they get the opportunity to play professional sport, they should grab it with both hands.

“You can learn so much and even if you don’t make it, you can always go home and bring what you’ve learned with you and that could help the GAA.”

While his GAA days are behind him, Setanta said he’s feeling right at home in Sydney’s west where, ironically, he was born.

“Yes, I was born in Bankstown General Hospital and grew up in Greenacre.”

“Last year, I went back to where I grew up and found the house where we lived. I was just four when we left so I don’t remember much of it but coming back here is like my life coming full circle,” he said.

Ó hAilpín has signed a new one-year contract with GWS.

Setanta Ó hAilpín has earned a new one-year contract with GWS Giants, coach Kevin Sheedy confirmed this week.

The Irishman’s fortunes are the rise, following a major blow in the opening game of last season, when he suffered a knee injury playing against his former club Carlton.

It seems Ó hAilpín has profited from the departure of AFL convert Israel Folau, who quit to return to his native NRL earlier this month.

Sheedy was full of praise for the Irishman earlier this week.

“His passion is brilliant, you can’t beat it,” said Sheedy.

He added: “He’s one of the most passionate people I’ve met in AFL. He’ll be our replacement for Folau.”

Ó hAilpín’s feet are firmly planted on the ground over his return from injury.

“I’ve been fortunate to get another opportunity from the Giants, so hopefully I can repay their faith and have a good season,” Ó hAilpín told AAP.

“It’s a big test for me. They say when people come back from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), it’s one of their hardest years.”

Pick up the Irish Echo next week for an exclusive interview with Setanta Ó hAilpín.