Karl Dias and Brian Donnelly landed on Tuesday night and will spend three weeks at the football club, working with the recruiting and football departments and sampling life in the city.
Dias, 19, from Dublin, was a member of last year’s Dublin under-18 football squad but was spotted playing for a combined Coláiste Éoin/St Benildus schools team which faced an underage representative school side from Australia in an International Rules match earlier this year.
County Louth’s Donnelly, 20 this Friday, has been playing for his county’s under-21 side this season.
Both today admitted their knowledge of Australian Football was limited.
“I’d heard about Tadhg Kennelly and saw it on the international rules but I didn’t know much about the Crows,” Dias said. “I’d watched some on an Irish channel that shows Australian Rules highlights. I’m coming here with an open mind and hope. I hope it works out, the club is fantastic.” Donnelly added: “I knew about Tadhg Kennelly and the success of Marty Clarke, and I didn’t know much about the Crows myself but I know a bit about it now, I have watched a bit.”
Still jetlagged after the long flight, Dias and Donnelly watched the Crows train on Wednesday and then had a kicking session today.
“We thought we were okay before (with the Australian football) but we were taught new techniques on how to hold it,’ Dias said. “It was tough to start (this morning) but we started getting the hang of it.”
Crows recruiting manager Matthew Rendell said it was exciting to have the pair in Adelaide.
“There has been a fair bit of work involved so it’s good to have them here so we can meet them and they can meet us,” Rendell said. “There are no guarantees and these are really just the first steps for the club and the players. Hopefully by the end of the visit both parties will have a clearer understanding of where we are all at.”
There are several Irish footballers currently listed with AFL clubs. Tadhg Kennelly is with the Sydney Swans, brothers Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin are with Carlton, Colm Begley with Brisbane and Martin Clarke is at Collingwood.
Additionally, Brendan Murphy (Sydney Swans), Michael Shields (Cartlon), Pearce Hanley (Brisbane Lions) and Kevin Dyas (Collingwood) are all on international rookie status this year.
International players can be rookie-listed in December.
