Kilkenny turn thoughts to 2009 after the Liam McCarthy hatrick.

Thousands turned out in the marble city to welcome home hurling's historymakers. Kilkenny moved to the top of the All-Ireland senior hurling honours list on 31 titles after turning in a sensational final performance which proved far too much for Waterford.

The Cats 3-30 to 1-13 win also clinched the All-Ireland treble, Kilkenny’s first since 1911-12-13 and the first by any county since Cork in 1976-77-78. It completed a superb championship campaign by Kilkenny who beat Offaly by 18 points, Wexford by 19 points, Cork by nine points and Waterford by 23 points. Their winning margin against Waterford was the highest in an All-Ireland final since Cork beat Antrim by 27 points in 1943 while their 3-30 total was the highest since Cork scored 6-21 against Wexford in 1970. However, that game was played over 70 minutes. Eoin Kelly (Waterford) topped the championship scoring lists on 7-43 (64 points) from five games, followed by Galway’s Joe Canning on 4-27 (39 points) from three games. Brian Carroll (Offaly) and Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) finished in joint third place on 0-38 and 1-35 respectively, each from four games, one point ahead of David O'Callaghan (Dublin) on 2-31 (37 points) from four games. A 25 thousand strong crowd turned out to welcome the players and trophy's home.

And then there were 2 - in the battle for Sam.

For once the pundits got it right. Kerry fans were quick to launch their celebrations!

Congress memories

Is Uluhru 4 u?

And we're not talking about that pub on the Dunmore Road in Waterford city.

Is there set to be a big talent drain on the GAA?

Tensions are set to increase between Cumann Luthclease Gael and Aussie Rules chiefs with the formal announcement of a talent identification camp shcheduled for next week in County mayo

It's being organised by AFL player agent Rickey nixon who says from an initial list of 80 players - 25 have been invited to Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar where they will be put through drills phyciscal tests and interviews by Aussie rules club representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Players and their parents will be given presentations on Australia, player welfare and what to expect if recruited by a club down under.

For those of you interested in getting into training here is a peek at the entire invite fropm Flying Start - the company founded by Oz agent Ricky Nixon.

AFL IRISH RECRUITING NETWORK
Background

The history of AFL clubs recruiting Irish footballers stretches back over 20 years. The Melbourne Football Club was particularly successful when they recruited Jim Stynes and Sean White in the 1980s, with both enjoying long and decorated AFL careers. Recently Tadhg Kennelly, Martin Clarke, Colm Begley and Setanta O’hAilpin have also made their mark in AFL football.

In 2008 there will be 9 Irish players in the AFL. Sydney, Collingwood and Brisbane will each have two Irish players on their playing list while Carlton will have three. However, while there have been a number of successful stories of Irish footballers forging careers at AFL clubs, there have also been a number of Irish
players forced to return from Australia for a variety of reasons. For over a decade Flying Start has been the leader in the management and marketing of Australian Rules
footballers. Founded in 1994 by Ricky Nixon, considered a pioneer in AFL player management, Flying Start is recognised as the most experienced and reputable organisation in its field.

Nixon was the first to develop group marketing of footballers in Australia with his Club 10 team of AFL Players which included the likes of Gary Ablett, Wayne Carey, Jason Dunstall, Matthew Richardson Tony Lockett, Michael Voss and Garry Lyon.
An innovator in the marketing of athletes Nixon has also been a vocal supporter of player rights. He was heavily involved in the establishment of the AFL Player’s Association and has successfully shifted the industry’s focus to the welfare of its players. The Age Newspaper recently rated him as the 4th most influential person of the past decade in the AFL.

Nixon instigated the Irish Recruiting Network (IRN) in early 2008 after being contacted by a number people in Ireland concerned at the conduct of AFL clubs when recruiting Irish players, the player’s welfare once in Australia and the exit programs for those who did not make in the AFL. There was resentment at the
‘cowboy’ attitude of some clubs and a feeling that promises were being made and not fulfilled.

A number of AFL Clubs also wanted to implement a new recruiting process that was regulated, transparent and respectful of the GAA, its clubs and traditions. Nixon set about creating a systematic approach to identifying talent capable of playing AFL football that would be done in the open and in detailed consultation
with the GAA. AFL Clubs Brisbane, St Kilda, Richmond, North Melbourne and Geelong are foundation members of the IRN.

Flying Start will be conducting a talent identification camp, the details are as follows:

Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th August 2008
Breaffy House Resort – Castlebar

Players between the ages of 17 – 23 were formally identified by a number of people on the ground in Ireland including former AFL Players, coaches of elite junior sports, school teachers, university lecturers and a sports psychologist.
The initial list involved up to 80 players and of that list 25 players have been invited to the camp. These players will be put through various skill drills, physical tests, psychological tests and interviews by the member AFL Clubs
At the camp the players and their parents will be given presentations on Australia, the various AFL Clubs as well as what to expect if a player is recruited by an AFL Club. There will also be presentations on the strategies that are in place for player welfare, exit programs and assimilation back in Ireland should a player
not make the AFL.

What are you waiting for?

Funnies abound - look away Dubs

Back on the radar after drowning sorrows in the wake of Tipp's championship exit.
All Premier hopes now on Waterford after their huge disappointments in recent seasons. I genuinely hope they do it. Davy will have them in the right mindset given Clare went through a similar run in to the 95 All Ireland win. What about the Dubs though? Non dubs might enjoy the mock up below. Look away if you are from inside the Pale.

For the statisticians

I mentioned that big game stats are being supplied after key championship matches in the run in to the final - here's the latest.

Light relief for Shane Ryan ahead of Tyrone clash

There will be a ticket frenzy around the Capital this week as Dubs fans go in search of the vouchers to gain admittance to Croke Park at the weekend. Tight affair in prospect with the Dubs looking like they may have the edge. Ahead of the tie Dublin's Shane Ryan had the pleasure of being honoured by his peers as gaelic footballer of the month for July, while Galway's one man full forward line Joe Canning took the hurling equivalent.