John Heslin: I would have regretted not chasing Oz dream Independent.ie
Donnchadh Boyle
24/02/2016Last Saturday's Sigerson Cup win was exactly the kind of thing that John Heslin knew he could miss out on when as a teenager, he took up an offer from the Richmond Tigers to pursue a career in the AFL.
The lure of Melbourne and a professional life was too much not to at least give it a try. Yet he was back in Mullingar with the most of his two-year deal still to run and while there are things he would have done differently, there are no regrets.
The decision to return has since been vindicated. He has seen some big days, not least helping the county beat Meath for the first time in Championship history last summer.
Taking the leap was a risk, but it's a risk he's glad he took.
"Anyone I have spoken to. . . I spoke to Colin O'Riordan and a couple of lads. . . I just said you have to go," he said. "You'll never regret going but I would have regretted not going.
"I went over too early in the year. Usually an Irish player goes over in October, then gets a couple of weeks off for Christmas and goes back over.
"But I went out in July. I had a longer period when I was ineligible to play games and I was just training. That had its part to play.
"But that's hindsight. It's a phenomenal opportunity for any player to go over."
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/heslin-i-would-have-regretted-not-chasing-oz-dream-34480314.html
