Talented Cork hurling player turned Australian Rules footballer Setanta Ó hAilpín has declared he’s never coming back to Ireland.
Ó hAilpín, who was born in Sydney, won the Young Hurler of the Year award in 2003 and was considered to be one of the game’s most exciting new stars.
In December 2003 he announced his move to Australia to play Australian rules for Melbourne-based club, Carlton.
Now with the GWS Giants in western Sydney, he has said he has settled Down Under and has no plans to ever return to Cork.
Speaking in today’s Irish Examiner, the 29-year-old said: “It never entered my mind [to go home]. When I finish football, I won’t be going home anyway. I really love Australia. It’s given me a lot. I see this place as my home now. It’s a great place.
“One day, I’d like to get married and have kids and I’d like to raise a family here. Especially with the recession back home the way it’s going.”
Earlier this month, Ó hAilpín signed a new, one-year contract with GWS Giants. He has been out of action since early last season, after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury.
Is it a shame that we’ll never see Ó hAilpín in a Cork shirt again? Tweet us your thoughts @theirishpost
