Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning minor hurling captain Darragh Joyce caught the eye at last weekend's Aussie Rules Europe Combine.

The younger brother of senior star Kieran was one of 22 hopefuls in DCU who were put through a series of athletic, psychological and match simulation tests in front of club recruiters.

"The combine has been a huge success," AFL International talent manager Tadhg Kennelly told www.afl.com.au.

"It's well resourced, we're getting great results, and I'm sure we'll get one, maybe two players recruited next year."

Kennelly pointed to the recent recruitment of Irishmen Conor McKenna (Essendon), Sean Hurley (Fremantle) and Paddy Brophy (West Coast) as proof the search for talent in Ireland should continue.

"The players picked the skills up so quickly you would think it was an under 18 team from Australia, so it was pretty impressive what they achieved in two days.

"It shows Irish players can make the transition to the AFL, but you've also got to work out who can handle it mentally, who can adapt moving to the other side of the world."
 
At 192cm, hurler Joyce, who could follow in Setanta O hAilpin's footsteps, impressed with his game-sense and skills while Kerry's Michael Burns showcased his agility, aggression and huge aerobic capacity.

Dane Mikkel Kjoege recorded the second highest vertical leap of the AFL Combine era with an effort of 84cm, just short of American Marvin Baynham's record-breaking 88cm benchmark at October's AFL Draft Combine.

Carlton's national recruitment manager Shane Rogers was an interested onlooker and said the Blues were a good chance to add to the three Irishman they already have at the club.

"I haven't been to the (European) combine before, but it has been very worthwhile," he said.

"I think we're in the market for another one now. Zach Tuohy and Ciaran Sheehan have both played AFL footy and Ciaran Byrne is another one on the way who has the attributes.

"The boys here have picked up the skills so quickly and they are willing to listen, which is really good."

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