Australian Rules football is coming to the midlands. The Midland Tigers have been established by Melbourne native Mr Paul Ryan and Mr Thomas Leavy from Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
They have secured the Mullingar rugby grounds for training on Tuesdays and matches on Saturday afternoons. Mr Ryan believes that Aussie Rules will be enthusiastically supported in the region.
"Above all, it's such a sociable occasion. We will have barbecues and parties. It will be a real family day out."
The Tigers are the latest group of players to give the round ball the boot in favour of an oval one, joining teams such as the Dublin Demons, the Belfast Redbacks, the Leeside Lions and the Drogheda Dockers.
A second Dublin team and a new minor team are also being formed and a Galway team is being sought.
About 120 people are involved in the five teams. Mr Ryan believes this support will increase dramatically as more emigrants return from Australia.
"Applications for visas to Australia have trebled in the last year. More and more guys are going out there and getting into the sport. You will always have knockers who say that it could never take off where Gaelic football or hurling are so strong, but I've been surprised by the interest in it," he said.
Aussie Rules is traditionally played 18-a-side, on an oval pitch similar in size to a cricket field, in four 25-minute sessions.
However, because of the lack of such pitches in Ireland, a modified nine-a-side game has been introduced. "The smaller pitch means the game is even quicker," Mr Ryan said.
"If you enjoy playing Gaelic football then you will love this, once you get used to kicking the ball. At the end of the day, Aussie football is derived from Gaelic football."
The league got under way three weeks ago and will run until July, when the final will be held at a full-size oval in Belfast. Ireland will also be represented in the AFL international cup event in Melbourne in August 2002.
In the meantime, the Midland Tigers and all other clubs are recruiting players of all ages and standards.
The Aussie Rules teams can be contacted on the website colm@dublindemons.com
Paul Ryan can be contacted at 087 615 3571.