Luke Towey is hoping to translate a successful Gaelic career into a prosperous AFL career with the Suns
Luke Towey is used to wearing rain proof jackets and full length skins on the training track which makes slapping on sunscreen and stepping out into 30 degree heat literally half a world away.
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LUKE Towey is used to wearing rain proof jackets and full length skins on the training track which makes slapping on sunscreen and stepping out into 30 degree heat literally half a world away.
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In October, the Suns signed the star Gaelic footballer a few months after inviting him to the Gold Coast to train with the club.
Towey’s first foray to the foreign game came when he was one of nearly 30 Irish footballers invited to trial in Dublin.
“I picked up one of the balls and was like ‘what is this’ and was trying to kick it around and I wasn’t great at the time,” he said.
“From the moment it (AFL) got put in front of me, it was something I really wanted to achieve and give it absolutely everything.”
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That was just over 12 months ago.
Now, Towey is a listed AFL footballer and has thrown himself into training albeit at times struggling with the rules.
“I’m giving away a few 50s which is common but every day and every week I’m improving and learning more so as long as I see that progression in myself, I’m happy,” he said.
“These lads have been playing all their life.”
As he waited to hear of his AFL fate, the Dublin University business student diligently ran himself through a number of training sessions back home.
Though nothing could prepare him for the Coast’s sizzling summer heat.
“In Ireland right now, it’s about minus three degrees,” Towey said.
“No one likes the cold but I’m much more acclimatised to Ireland and going out in the rain and cold and wearing big water proof jackets and full length skins.
“I found it hard to breathe initially but now I can which is good.”
With the International Rules Gaelic series between Ireland and Australia set to return in 2020, the now Mermaid Beach resident hopes to get the chance to show up some of his Suns teammates at his native game.
“I’m Irish through and through,” Towey said.
“I remember going to it as a kid with my dad and watching all these amazing players.
“To maybe have an opportunity to play and represent my country would be pretty unreal.”
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