Longford's Quinn signs up with Essendon

AUSTRALIAN RULES:ANOTHER YOUNG Irish player has been signed up by an AFL club. Longford teenager Michael Quinn has joined the rookie list at Essendon after trialling for the club together with Limerick's short-listed young footballer of the year, Ian Ryan.

"He is very athletic and we were impressed with his physical ability and good attitude," said Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro.

"Michael is very keen to learn and hungry to succeed so we think that gives him a good chance to play AFL football for Essendon.

"The big issue for him and all Irish recruits is his skill level, particularly his kicking, so we will need to put plenty of work into that area.

"Also, Gaelic football doesn't require the tackling skills that are so important in AFL so he will have to learn to lay a strong tackle and break tackles from opponents."

Quinn is quoted on the AFL's website as saying: "Maybe in another month or so I will have a better idea where I am at - I am starting at the beginning so it's difficult to tell. I need to work up through the steps - first is work on ball use, skills and bulking up, and then get into some good training sessions and practice matches.

"Then I can get into playing for the Bendigo Bombers (the Essendon reserve team) and try and play consistently for them and work my way up."