Sean Wight, who played in the 1982 All-Ireland MFC final for Kerry, before becoming a successful AFL player with the Melbourne Demons, has passed away at the age of 47.

Wight was midfield on the Kingdom team that lost to Dublin in the '82 minor final and his performances gained the attention of AFL scouts, who through their 'Irish Experiment' brought a number of Gaelic footballers Down Under to try their hand at the professional game.

Along with Jim Stynes, the Listowel Emmets player travelled to Australia and forged a successful career with the Demons, for whom he played 150 games over a 10-year period, before retiring in 1995.

He played in a Grand Final in 1988 and was on the All Australian team of the year in '87.

Former team mate and Australian International rules team manager Garry Lyon paid tribute to Wight.

"Sean was a genuine trailblazer on and off the field. He played with enormous courage and conducted himself with enormous integrity. He had a wonderful moral compass that I only now truly appreciate. He will be sadly missed but always remembered," said Lyon.

Jim Stynes spoke of the competitor that Wight was: "He was probably the most competitive and greatest athlete I ever played footie with."

Wight passed away this morning after a short battle with cancer. Tweet

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