Swans sign Irishman Barry O'Connor!

[bloodspirit]

I was thinking of you too, barry.

They've now posted a longer version of the same article on afl.com.au: Swans sign 193cm Irishman after two-week trial - AFL.com.au.

I wonder why they've gone for BOC after passing on so many other Irish prospects? Was it his height? Was it the fact that COR has now come good and it's time to get another project in the door? Anyway, I agree with you, 707, that it is a free hit and good to take every opportunity to find new talent. We've got a long list now. Also, will hopefully benefit the NEAFL team (albeit maybe not right away!) which has more ruck-types than KPPs at the moment.

[dejavoodoo44]

When the article says that we've signed him on a two year contract, does that mean the contract starts next season? I'm assuming so, but it doesn't explicitly say so. Or is there a chance that he'll be running around in the NEAFL, sometime in the next few weeks?

[wedge.maverick]

I was thinking of you too, barry.

They've now posted a longer version of the same article on afl.com.au: Swans sign 193cm Irishman after two-week trial - AFL.com.au.

I wonder why they've gone for BOC after passing on so many other Irish prospects? Was it his height? Was it the fact that COR has now come good and it's time to get another project in the door? Anyway, I agree with you, 707, that it is a free hit and good to take every opportunity to find new talent. We've got a long list now. Also, will hopefully benefit the NEAFL team (albeit maybe not right away!) which has more ruck-types than KPPs at the moment.

I'd assume a lot of diligence goes into whether they are going to hang around or not.
Do you remember Kyle Coney, Chris McKaigue, Brendan Murphy & Declan O'Mahoney????????

[707]

I'd assume a lot of diligence goes into whether they are going to hang around or not.
Do you remember Kyle Coney, Chris McKaigue, Brendan Murphy & Declan O'Mahoney????????

Yes, you are correct that many are tried and few succeed but when they are free hits get them in, only costs $ and there's no shortage of that.

After due diligence of course :-)

[The Big Cat]

Good. We need someone named Barry at the Swans.
We have had some good ones...Hall, Mitchell, Round.

Leo

[Markwebbos]

When the article says that we've signed him on a two year contract, does that mean the contract starts next season? I'm assuming so, but it doesn't explicitly say so. Or is there a chance that he'll be running around in the NEAFL, sometime in the next few weeks?

Irishman Barry O’Connor has agreed to terms on a Sydney Swans contract and will begin his AFL journey at the start of the 2020 pre-season.
O'Connor set to sign with Swans - sydneyswans.com.au

[liz]

Yes, you are correct that many are tried and few succeed but when they are free hits get them in, only costs $ and there's no shortage of that.

After due diligence of course :-)

They aren't entirely free hits because the club has a limited number of Cat B rookie spots. We don't have any standouts in this year's academy pool (ie no Blakey, Mills or Heeney) but I reckon there are quite a few that look like they might be worthy of a year in the system on the rookie list. Of course, the club can fill its normal rookie list (Cat A) with such players but as "free hits" they compete with anyone else who qualifies as a Cat B rookie for 3 spots. Two are currently occupied by Bell and Wicks, though only Wicks can stay as a Cat B rookie next year.

[Meg]

I spent two weeks in Ireland last year, including in Barry’s home county Wexford for their annual opera festival. (Where they do rarely performed and little known operas to an international audience, in a beautiful purpose-built opera house. I highly recommend it to opera lovers.)

While stopping to view one of the many spectacular sights along the Ring of Kerry I talked to this man with his menagerie of animals. He asked me where I was from. ‘Sydney, Australia’, I said. Immediately he sang out ‘Sydney Swans!’. I was very taken aback - but when I asked him how he knew about the Swans he said ‘Tadgh Kennelly’.

Seems Tadgh is a hero to the footy-mad Kerry population. Let’s hope Barry (and Colin) become equally famous.

IMG_8698.jpg

[dejavoodoo44]

Irishman Barry O’Connor has agreed to terms on a Sydney Swans contract and will begin his AFL journey at the start of the 2020 pre-season.
O'Connor set to sign with Swans - sydneyswans.com.au

Good. I like that time frame. Gives him plenty of time to practice skills and absorb tactics.

[Ludwig]

Great.
Three Irishmen at the club.
We need a translator.

I think I can help out since I'm a Wizard of Gaelic English. I'll have to find my business card - that one that says:

LUDWIG, PhD., WoGE.

- - - Updated - - -

They aren't entirely free hits.

More like cheap shots.

[dimelb]

I was. Thanks Bs

Now there's an unfortunate abbreviation!

- - - Updated - - -

I spent two weeks in Ireland last year, including in Wexford for their annual opera festival. (Where they do rarely performed and little know operas to an international audience, in a beautiful purpose-built opera house. I highly recommend it to opera lovers.)

While stopping to view one of the many spectacular sights along the Ring of Kerry I talked to this man with his menagerie of animals. He asked me where I was from. ‘Sydney, Australia’, I said. Immediately he sang out ‘Sydney Swans!’. I was very taken aback - but when I asked him how he knew about the Swans he said ‘Tadgh Kennelly’.

Seems Tadgh is a hero to the footy-mad Kerry population. Let’s hope Barry (and Colin) become equally famous.

IMG_8698.jpg

Great little story Meg!
And remember, Tadhg's last letters are the same as H G Nelson's first 2 initials

[707]

Thanks for clarifying Liz and great story Meg