A first as Irish trio named in Carlton squad
February 26, 2015
Ireland manager Paul Earley speaks with former Ireland and current AFL players Ciaran Sheehan, Zach Tuohy and Ciaran Byrne after the warm-up game versus the VFL Selection.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.
Zach Tuohy, Ciaran Sheehan and Ciaran Byrne have all been named in Carlton's 29-man strong squad for the NAB Challenge opener against West Coast in Mandurah on Friday.
20-year-old Wee County native Byrne and Cork's Sheehan have both enjoyed a rapid rise in the oval ball code since joining Carlton in November 2013 while Laois' Tuohy has made 70 AFL appearances for The Blues.
Coach Rob Wiley, who deputises for Mick Malthouse this weekend, said: "We're just about ready to have an all-Irish backline with three of the boys lining up. Very exciting. It'd be hard to think that there's another AFL club out there that would have suited up three Irish guys. That's exciting in itself.
"All the boys are really going well. Zach's had a great pre-season. He had probably a quiet year last year and I think Gussy Sheehan has come on from last year and Ciaran Byrne has come from nowhere. He's really progressed nicely. So it augurs well for the future of Carlton Footy Club."
Kildare's Paddy Brophy will be in opposition this weekend as he has been included in West Coast's squad for the pre-season friendly competition.
TweetOur three Irish lads were all today named to face the Eagles on Friday night. Now there's a first! #NAVYBLUES pic.twitter.com/ZtyQlmM72x
- Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) February 25, 2015
