Jamie O'Reilly [merged]

[one-eyed]

Richmond have signed their first Irish recruit, James O’Reilly and he will join the squad at Punt road for preseason training in November on a 2 year deal. O’Reilly was spotted by Richmond scouts while helping his native County Down’s U-21 side defeat Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final.

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20091022045240369

[mat073]

"top Australian rules football side Richmond tigers"

 Our reputation overseas is better than the one we have at home.

[one-eyed]

Ricky Nixon said we've signed up O'Reilly.


Nixon also announced Richmond has signed up a new Irish youngster.

"Just been lucky enough to sign up probably the best kid in Ireland, but also a kid named Jamie O'Reilly who's going to be a really interesting player for Richmond."

"He's absolutely lightning quick, fantastic skills, he's set the world on fire over here (Ireland) as well."

http://www.sportsentral.com/pro/main/storyreader.aspx?sid=18730&sr=all

[one-eyed]

Tomas McCann also due to have a three-week trial with the Tigers.

Donegal's Michael Murphy is also jetting Down Under for a trial, with Brisbane, Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond and St Kilda all interested in his services.

[one-eyed]

O'Reilly signs two-year AFL deal 
BBC Sport

Down youngster Jamie O'Reilly is travelling to Australia on Thursday after agreeing a two-year deal with AFL club Richmond Tigers.

O'Reilly caught the attention of the Tigers when helping Down to reach this year's All-Ireland Under-21 final.

The Loughin island club-man then underwent a three-week trial with the club during the summer.

Antrim player Tomas McCann is also heading to Australia to undergo a three-week trial with the Tigers.

O'Reilly will undergo seven weeks of pre-season training in Australia and after returning home for the Christmas break, will then head back Down Under.

McCann helped Antrim reach this year's Ulster Football Final and he has been attracting interest from AFL clubs for more than a year.

O'Reilly's switch to AFL comes after his fellow countyman Martin Clarke's decision to return to Ireland after a three-year stint with Collingwood.

Other players, including Armagh lad Kevin Dyas, have also opted to cut short their AFL adventures but Kerry star Tommy Walsh was a recent high-profile capture by St Kilda.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/8331452.stm

[one-eyed]

O'Reilly latest in AFL exodus
Irish News
Thursday, 29 October 2009

Down's Jamie O'Reilly has signed a two-year contract with AFL side Richmond Tigers, but admits the move is a risk.

The Loughinisland club-man underwent a three-week trial with the club during the summer, while Antrim player Tomas McCann is also heading out for a trial.

O'Reilly will undergo seven weeks of pre-season training in Australia and after returning home for Christmas, will then head back Down Under.

He told The Irish News: 'As a young person, it's too good an opportunity to pass up.

'As well as that I could finish my degree in Business Management at Queen's and get a 2:1, but there is no guarantee of a job.

'I could spend the next year on the dole and ho hopes of a job. This way I can do something that I enjoy and get paid for it at the same time and get a lot of life skills out of it.

'The idea of getting paid to play sport for a living obviously appeals to me, but the challenge of it appeals to me too.

'There's definitely an element of risk involved. It may not work out, but it's a challenge.

'And the fact that someone actively sought me out and believes I have something to offer was flattering too.'

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2009/1029/oreillyj.html

[mightytiges]

All the best to him. Welcome to Tigerland Jamie 

[Judge Roughneck]

Good luck to Jamie O'Reilly + Tomas McCann 

[one-eyed]

Here's some youtube footage of Thomas McCann who will be trialling with us.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hj0jLY4byY&feature=player_embedded

[Ramps]

McCann has decent speed

[one-eyed]

They both flew out of Ireland on Thursday. So they should be in Melbourne by now.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/down-star-orsquoreilly-goes-to-australia-14545766.html

[WilliamPowell]

O'Reilly is defintely here .....

[mightytiges]

O'Reilly is defintely here .....

To be sure to be sure WP 

Do you know WP if he will be training this week or will they give him another week to get settled in and over the jetlag?

[WilliamPowell]

O'Reilly is defintely here .....

To be sure to be sure WP 

Do you know WP if he will be training this week or will they give him another week to get settled in and over the jetlag?

Should be around the club this week - whether that includes full training who knows

[bojangles17]

McCann has decent speed

yep, good turn of foot...still, I would be looking at Talls with the irish experiment rather than mids that pretty well grow on trees