Rivals cope with losses to AFL

Two teams with high ambitions for this year's under-21 football championship are Cork and Down, yet they've both seen their challenge weakened by the loss of one of their star players to the Australian Football League. In neither case, however, does it seem that those left behind are critical of the exodus.

Cork, the reigning All-Ireland champions, saw defender Michael Shields join Carlton, the club that had already signed Cork underage stars Setanta and Aisake Ó hÁilpín. For Seán Cahalane, who is back to help Cork defend their under-21 title this year, the loss is significant, yet understandable.

"Michael's a fantastic player, a fantastic fella," says Cahalane. "He's an awful loss to Cork football. He was a banker for the full-back line at the seniors. It's sad to see him go, but hopefully, we'll see him back in a few years, and win an All-Ireland with Cork. But I feel they're right to make that choice. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Australia, and you can't begrudge them that."

Down lost an equally talented underage star in Martin Clarke, who has made a massive impact with another Melbourne club, Collingwood. James Colgan, who won an All-Ireland minor title with Clarke in 2005, was part of the same trials in Limerick two years ago that led to Clarke's offer of a contract, and he also feels his former team-mate made the right choice.

"We couldn't replace him as a player," says Colgan. "He's such a class act, and has clearly shown his potential with the way he's playing over in Australia. I was at the same Limerick trials two years ago, but it was more just for them to see us . . . Martin must have really shown up that day, and fair play to him. He's made the most of it, flying out there."

Yet Colgan barely disguises the feeling he too would have travelled, if given the opportunity: "Well I think it's something you have to be offered first. I was never asked, so I really don't know if I would have moved over. But it is definitely a great opportunity for young players it they are offered, especially when they see other young Irish players going out and succeeding.

"I'd known Martin for years. From when he was no age he was the most competitive man I knew. He didn't want to get beaten at anything. He had a set of goals built outside his house, and was always practising, always the perfectionist. So as soon as he got over to Australia he was expecting to start, expecting to star. He's a great testament to working hard, and showing your talent."

Colgan, however, admits the problem of underage stars going to Australia is still relatively small: "It's always disappointing if they're taking your friends and team-mates. But at the same time you can't blame them for taking the offer and the opportunity, especially when you see how well some of them are doing. It's still small-scale, but if they do start taking loads and loads of talent then it's something that needs to be looked at."

In the meantime, Cahalane and Colgan are more worried about their own under-21 campaigns. Cork are going for a fifth Munster title in succession - no mean feat by any standards - and with 10 titles are still the most successful in the grade (one more than Kerry).

"We have eight or nine back from last year, and a few new strong members," adds Cahalane. "So we'll be flat out to win it, starting with the winners of the Limerick-Kerry tie, on March 22nd."

Cahalane also stated the recent controversy involving the senior Cork panels hasn't interfered with preparations: "No, we kept our heads down, and trained away. We're all glad it's over and finished with. But there's no way we would have played for the seniors . . . A lot of us have friends on the senior panel, so if we were asked we would have declined."

Down have won only one under-21 title, in 1979: "There's been a lot of work put in, under the new management of Pete McGrath and Mickey Linden," said Colgan. "It's really a case of fulfilling our potential. Ulster is always tight.

"We start out against Antrim, and they've a lot of senior panellists as well, so we can't look past that."