Cavanagh turned down six-figure AFL contract

October 18, 2013

Tyrone's Sean Cavanagh with Kildare's Emmet Bolton at Newbridge. INPHO
Sean Cavanagh has recalled how he turned down a contract with Carlton worth "hundreds of thousands".

The former Footballer of the Year was once the most sought-after prospect in Irish sport as he appeared to possess all the attributes needed to become a professional Aussie Rules footballer.

The Australians duly came calling - first Brisbane with the offer of a rookie contract, then Carlton with something much more substantial:

"It was hundreds of thousands of dollars," the Tyrone star reveals. "It's nice when you see it there in print, but to me I had everything I wanted at home in Ireland.

"I was never motivated by money or going over and playing a sport I may not have enjoyed in a foreign land. If I was to turn back time I still would do exactly the same.

"It's a bit like the Conor McManus tackle during the year, you almost think of things with a risk and reward and to me, I wasn't willing to risk the two or three years I was going to lose out on at home to go out and play in Australia.

"I've had a good run with Tyrone and I've never regretted it."

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