Crows locked in bidding war with Brisbane for Irish Gaelic football star Cathal McShane
Adelaide and Brisbane are locked in bidding war for Irish Gaelic football star Cathal McShane ahead of the 2020 AFL season.
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Rebuilding Adelaide is in the box seat to sign athletic Irish Gaelic football star Cathal McShane.
The Crows, who were thought to be in a bidding war with Brisbane for the 24-year-old, will fly McShane to Australia this month to trial with them.
Irish media reported at the weekend that McShane was set to sign a two-year deal with the Lions, but The Advertiser understands they never entertained a formal approach.
McShane, from the Tyrone club, was the top scorer in last season’s All-Ireland Championship and an All-Star and is regarded as a “powerful physical specimen who is strong in the air and nimble on the ground for a man of his size’’.
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Described in Ireland as a “wrecking ball’’, he attended a trial at the AFL Europe Combine in 2014 but had a breakout 2019 when he became the most potent spearhead in Gaelic football.
“We’re looking forward to Cathal joining our pre-season training program and getting to know him a bit better,” Adelaide general manager list management and strategy Justin Reid said.
“He has the physical attributes, coming in at a touch over 190 centimetres. He’s also strong in the air and can kick on both feet.
Extra-Time in Navan! Cathal McShane with Tyrone's late equaliser! pic.twitter.com/TtVqgF5I2C
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 9, 2018
“Once he lands in Adelaide, it will give him the opportunity to understand more about our club, our philosophies and what our program looks like.”
At 24, McShane would be one of the older Irish players to try their hand at the AFL.
But his formidable physique, athleticism and ball skills have the Crows and Lions intrigued.
He is eligible to join Adelaide as a Category B rookie while it has a senior spot available on its list.
Crows SANFL player James Matthews has also been training with the AFL squad.
McShane is a former Tyrone minor teammate of speedy Essendon defender Conor McKenna.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte confirmed that McShane was considering a move Down Under.
‘He has been wooed by some people in the AFL,’’ Harte told the BBC.
Cathal McShane showing his class early on for @TyroneGAALive pic.twitter.com/tviS24EmaU
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 11, 2019
‘‘I think he’s gone out there for a few days to see what that might be like.
“There has been no final decision yet on whether he’s going to go or whether he will stay with us but, at the moment, he’s certainly considering that move.’’
A record 17 Irishmen are set to be on AFL lists next year, with another 18 locked in to play in the AFLW.
The Crows already have a Gaelic convert at West Lakes, with AFLW rookie Ailish Considine winning a premiership medal in her debut season with the club last season.
Originally published as Crows locked in bidding war with Brisbane for Irish Gaelic football star Cathal McShane