Mayo player on Aussies’ radar

Gallagher on Aussies’ radar


Mike Finnerty

LAST year’s Mayo Minor football captain Adam Gallagher was one of 20 players that attended last week’s Australian Rules training camp in Dublin.
The two-day AFL Europe camp, which was hosted by former Sydney Swans AFL star Tadgh Kennelly and Ben McCormack, the general manager of the AFL in Europe, was held at the National Basketball Arena and Dublin City University.
The talented teenagers were put through a rigorous set of tests but Gallagher (18) was unable to take part in any of the skills testing sessions as he is currently recovering from a broken finger.
The Mayo Gaels clubman, who is also part of this year’s Mayo U-21 football squad, did take part in the fitness, strength, agility and flexibility tests.
Gallagher, a Leaving Cert student at St Colman’s College, Claremorris is extremely doubtful for the school’s Connacht Colleges Senior ‘A’ FC semi-final next Saturday as a result of his finger injury.
Speaking to The Mayo News, St Colman’s manager, Vinnie Walsh, confirmed that his star player had taken part in last week’s AFL camp, and admitted that he wasn’t surprised that Gallagher was on the Aussies radar.
“Even though he was injured, a very small number of players were called up and Adam felt it was too good of an opportunity to turn down,” explained Walsh, who was also a Mayo Minor selector for the last two years.
“They know about his football ability, they would have seen some DVDs of the Mayo minors last year, but it’s all about athleticism, strength and agility.
“The AFL coaches will analyse the data from last Tuesday’s tests and then hand-pick the players they want from there.
“If he gets picked up it will be a massive blow for Mayo Gaels and for Mayo,” added Walsh. “If Adam continues to improve I have no doubt that he will play senior for Mayo.”
Gallagher played county minor in both 2011 and 2012, and looks set to break into Tony Duffy’s starting team with the Mayo U-21s next month.
Vinnie Walsh, who is also part of the U-21 management team this year, is well-placed to assess the Mayo Abbey teenager’s ability and he has nothing but praise for the young prodigy.
“Adam’s reading of the game, the way he glides around the pitch, he can take two or three defenders out of the game with a pass, his skills, his scoring, his free-taking. . . He’s a real talent, a natural footballer,” said the St Colman’s coach.
“His attitude is very good too. Adam would ask you about his weaknesses because he would want to go and work them, to address them.
“Last year he would have worked hard to improve his fielding ability, this year he’s put a lot of work and emphasis on his free-taking, off both feet.
He’s a leader in the dressing-room and on the field too. He speaks very calmly, has a good relationship with the lads, and he would remind me a lot of Cillian O’Connor in that sense.”
One third of Dublin’s All-Ireland winning minor football team, two members of the Kildare senior squad, and a Cork dual star were also among the players put through their paces at the AFL camp last week.
A number of scouts from top AFL clubs were believed to be in attendance.