GAELIC GAMES:It felt like a flippant question at the time, when last month, during one of his first formal engagements as senior manager, Jim Gavin was asked just how big a loss Ciarán Kilkenny would be to Dublin football.

“We still have a lot of talent in the forwards,” answered Gavin, without expanding. Of course we all knew that, although did Gavin perhaps know something we didn’t, that Kilkenny wasn’t necessarily gone from the Dublin forwards, or at least not for very long?

Truth is no one knows the exact motivation behind Kilkenny’s change of heart, his decision to not, after all, pursue a professional career with AFL club Melbourne Hawthorn, beyond the “personal reasons” Kilkenny himself cited, but it’s not impossible that Gavin played some role in this, given their very close relationship from the latter’s previous role as Dublin under-21 football manager. Nor is Kilkenny the first young AFL recruit to find the lure of the GAA impossible to resist, although the swiftness of his change of heart is striking.

Still only 19 (he doesn’t turn 20 until July), he’s now poised to make an unquestionably exciting impact on Dublin’s season, the most immediate benefit of his return being in boosting the county’s defence of that All-Ireland under-21 title, which Kilkenny played a pivotal role in securing last year.

He’s equally certain to walk on to Gavin’s senior panel, after already being called up last year by then manager Pat Gilroy, and kicking three points in Dublin’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo. What is also certain, at least for now, is Kilkenny is entirely comfortable with his change of heart.

“I’ve come to realise also that although I enjoy the game of Australian Rules football, it could never replace the satisfaction I get from the round ball or a sliotar,” said Kilkenny, in a statement initially posted on his own Twitter account, then carried on the GAA website.

Pre-season training

Kilkenny officially signed with Hawthorn last September, and had completed six weeks’ pre-season training with the club late last year, before returning home for Christmas.

Somewhere in between, however, he decided he wasn’t going back: “I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in Australia, and am extremely grateful to Hawthorn for providing me with the opportunity to experience life as a professional athlete in a wonderful country. The professionalism of the club was exemplary and they always made me feel very welcome.

“However, seeing Australia and a different way of life, also served to bring home to me the things that make Ireland so special. Obviously family and friends are important but I also came to really appreciate the things that make Ireland unique, such as the people in general, the way of life and, of course, the GAA.

“As much as I enjoyed the lifestyle of a professional Aussie Rules player and relished the challenge of achieving in a different code, I realised that it would never matter as much to me as the sense of community and joy I get from togging out and playing alongside the people with whom I grew up and live.

“Achieving success and realising my potential as a hurler and footballer with my club and county will always be more important to me than any of the benefits to be obtained from professional sport.”

Returned home

It’s this “professional” lifestyle which typically appeals most to the young GAA player, and helped lure the likes of Armagh’s Kevin Dyas, Brendan Quigley and Colm Begley from Laois, Brendan Murphy from Carlow, and Cork’s Michael Shields down a similar path, and yet who, after various lengths of time, all returned home.

Others have integrated more successfully, namely Martin Clarke from Down and Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly, who established themselves in the AFL, returned briefly to the GAA, then went back to the AFL.

Kilkenny, however, had seen enough during his few weeks in Australia to realise his heart was completely at home:

“It may seem like a short time to spend in Australia but I have always given absolute commitment to any team in which I was involved and I feel it would be unfair on both Hawthorn and myself to continue in a situation where I am not 100 per cent committed and happy in myself.

“Sport has always been something I did for enjoyment and I have found that it’s not something I can do merely because it’s my job. Going to live in Australia was never something I felt I had to do. I always said that if I didn’t go, I might have doubts or questions later on in life but having spent some time there now I’m happy that that those doubts and questions will not arise.”

Homeward bound Young talents who returned from the AFL

Colm Begley (Laois)

Joined the Brisbane Lions, in 2006, enjoyed three rollercoaster seasons, then after one season with St Kilda, was back playing for Laois.

Brendan Murphy (Carlow)

Signed with the Sydney Swans, in 2007, never quite made the grade, and is now happily back playing with Carlow.

Brendan Quigley (Laois)

Another recruit to the Brisbane Lions, in early 2007, he was back playing with Laois within a few months.

Michael Quinn (Longford)

Talks positively of his time with Essendon, where he spent three seasons, but was back playing with Longford last summer.

Ciarán Sheehan (Cork)

Went on trial to Carlton, in 2009, but didn't pursue any contract, and won an All-Ireland with Cork a year later.

Michael Shields (Cork)

Also spent time with Carlton, in 2007, but cited homesickness for his return, and also won an All-Ireland in 2010.

John Heslin (Westmeath)

His much-lamented move to the Richmond Tigers last year didn't last long as he too returned home.

Kevin Dyas (Armagh)

Another high profile signing, with Collingwood, in 2007, Dyas lasted two years before returning to Armagh.

Kyle Coney (Tyrone)

His sojourn as a rookie with the Sydney Swans was also short lived, as he returned home for Christmas in 2008, and didn't go back.

– IAN O'RIORDAN