Geelong is interested in McElholm as Aussie clubs weigh up moves
AUSSIE Rules outfit Geelong has shown an interest in Eoin McElholm, though the Cats could bide their time before making a decision on the former Tyrone minor skipper.
Alongside Down’s Odhran Murdock, Cork’s Conor Corbett, Galway’s James McLaughlin and Australia’s top prospects, 18-year-old McElholm took part in the AFL’s draft combine earlier this month, with the Loughmacrory speedster ranking in the top 10 for the 20-meter sprint.
Other testing included a two-kilometer time trial, a standing vertical jump, a running vertical jump and an agility test.
Geelong, the current home of Laois veteran Zach Tuohy and Mayo Allstar Oisin Mullin, is keeping tabs on both McElholm and McLaughlin, though it appears unlikely anything will materialize when the pre-season and rookie draft open on November 22.
Corbett, meanwhile, is being tracked by the Adelaide Crows, while it is understood several clubs are tracking Burren midfielder Murdock.
However, unlike in the past, when AFL clubs were keen to bring emerging Irish talents down under at the earliest available opportunity—in a bid to embed them in the culture of the club, country and game itself—recent years have seen a change in approach.
Indeed, difficulties brought about as a consequence of the Covid pandemic put interest in Ireland on the backburner as the AFL got back on its feet. But the success of Mullin, who was 22 when he eventually joined Geelong last year, and the impressive return of McKenna with the Brisbane Lions have sparked something of a rethink.
Younger players who shoot the lights out at the combine in the same manner as the likes of Caolan Mooney or Conor McKenna in the past are still of immediate interest to AFL clubs, partly due to the fear of losing out to a rival in an increasingly competitive environment.
None of the four who traveled to Australia earlier this month are understood to have made that kind of instant impact.
In most cases, though, there is a greater inclination to profile athletes over a 12- to 18-month period, following their progress from afar while weighing up whether it is a good fit.
As well as the information at their disposal via a collective AFL database, clubs can also carry out their own work behind the scenes to establish possible connections and gain further information.
It is also understood that other Irish players, outside of the four who traveled to Australia for the AFL combine, will also be under consideration before the trade season closes.
The management teams of Tyrone and Down will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in the coming weeks, with McElholm tipped for a possible involvement with the Red Hands in 2024, while Murdock has become a central figure for Down.
McElholm was Tyrone U17 captain last year and played a key role in Omagh CBS’ drive to MacRory and Hogan Cup glory, bagging 2-5 in a comprehensive Hogan final win over Sligo’s Summerhill College back in March.
Coming off the back of two underwhelming years in the wake of their 2021 All-Ireland success, Tyrone joint managers Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher are sure to be looking at ways to shake things up, with McElholm an exciting option.
Murdock, meanwhile, was one of Down’s top performers during Conor Laverty’s first year at the helm, the 20-year-old catching the eye through the National League and Tailteann Cup, as well as helping the county U20s to a second provincial crown in three years.
