Clarke to make first AFL appearance

Down teenager Martin Clarke will make his debut in the professional ranks of the Australian Football League less than a year …

Down teenager Martin Clarke will make his debut in the professional ranks of the Australian Football League less than a year since his switch from GAA.

The 19-year-old will make his first team bow for Collingwood against Sydney, for whom Tadhg Kennelly has starred in recent seasons, in Saturday night's clash at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

Clarke is understood to have hugely impressed the Collingwood coaching staff with his rate of development in the AFL code.