O'Rourke turns down offer

Australian Rules: Meath minor Shane O'Rourke has turned down an opportunity to join Laois footballer Colm Begley at Australian Rules club, the Brisbane Lions.

O'Rourke's outstanding performances in this year's under-18 International Rules Test series in Australia also sparked interest from Collingwood and Carlton, home of the Ó hAilpín brothers, Setanta and Aisake.

While many young Gaelic footballers players would jump at the opportunity to play professional sport, O'Rourke has decided to focus on establishing himself as an intercounty player.

Speaking to Australian daily the Melbourne Age (in an article entitled: "The one that got away") O'Rourke said: "It's something I have given a lot of thought. They've been very open and put no pressure on me whatsoever. But at the moment, I wouldn't be in favour of going over. It's a long way away.

"Look, things are good here. It's boom time in Ireland. There's very big numbers coming here, coming back here - in the '90s, it was all people going out."

The son of two-time All-Ireland winning Meath forward Colm O'Rourke, the 18-year-old has already broke into the Simonstown Gaels senior team and represented St Patrick's, Navan, in the agonising All-Ireland Colleges final defeat to Newry CBS last April. He is also a key member of perhaps the best Meath minor team for a generation.

At 6ft 4ins, O'Rourke is an instantly noticeable figure who can score off either foot from long distances and although he is playing centre forward for the minors, he looks destined for a career at midfield.

Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday Colm O'Rourke stated: "We remain friendly with the people at the Brisbane Lions but Shane decided not to make the move in the foreseeable future. He has just completed his Leaving Certificate and hopes to attend university in Dublin.

"His ambition is to play for Meath. I wouldn't mind him going over and would support the decision 100 per cent but it is a long way and a big change. It remains a possibility at some stage in the future.

"I wouldn't personally have a problem with the Irish association with Aussie Rules," said the former International Rules manager. "At worse the player returns a better footballer after experiencing the professional game. The access to a weights programme develops them physically and certain specialist training cannot be found here."

O'Rourke junior kicked five points in last Saturday's narrow All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Antrim to ensure Meath progress to face Connacht champions Roscommon for a place in the minor final on September 17th.

Clearly a quality underage player, O'Rourke's father doesn't want to see him fast-tracked through the system. "I wouldn't like to see him rushed into the Meath set-up either as he still needs maybe another two years to develop physically."