A €19,000 salary, a car, an apartment, the choice of three different universities to continue third-level education and two annual trips home is the going rate for a young Gaelic footballer to switch codes to Australian Rules.
That deal is similar to the ones Laois players Brendan Quigley and Colm Begley have accepted to join the Brisbane Lions on two-year rookie contracts. Both players impressed in trials held recently in Limerick and are set to join the AFL club's academy in late November.
This is a worrying development for the GAA but what will really concern them is both players were initially spotted on the under-17 International Rules tour of Australia two years ago. Quigley was named player of the series then, prompting the suggestion this competition has become a prime opportunity for professional clubs to headhunt Irish talent.
"The GAA are going to have to address the under-17 tour as it is a chance for players to be seen," said Laois County Board secretary Niall Handy. "The senior set-up is fine as they are not going to be pulled in due to their age but the Tadhg Kennelly success story (the Kerryman won a Grand Final with Sydney Swans this season) has opened a gateway for these young players.
"Naturally we are very disappointed to be losing them as they are the best up-and-coming talent we have in the county. But they are two young athletes who see this an opportunity of a lifetime so we wish them all the best."
Begley (19), lines out for Stradbally in Sunday's Laois county football final against Leinster champions Portlaoise at O'Moore Park. Should his club win the title for the first time since 1998, he will be unavailable for a substantial run in the provincial championship.
"He will be a huge loss and not only to Stradbally but to Mick O'Dwyer and the Laois senior team over the coming years," said club manager Martin Murphy. "Colm is a calm, calculated chap with a great head on his shoulders for someone so young. Despite his age, people look to him for guidance on the field."
The Down County Board are pressing their minor stars, James Colgan and Martin Clarke, to follow the lead taken by fellow Ulster footballer Seán Cavanagh by refusing a similar two-year contract from the Brisbane club.
"I would be surprised if they departed," said county administrative officer Seán Óg McAteer. "Be sure that we will be making efforts to keep them here as they are considered a big part of the future of Down football. We will talk to them and expect them to be in the under-21 panel next year."
The An Riocht pairing spearheaded Down's push to this year's All-Ireland minor title after recovering from defeat in the Ulster final to Armagh.
Clarke is in his final year at St Louis, Kilkeel, while minor captain Colgan - although at 6ft 2ins and over 13 stone is an ideal prototype for the change of codes - enrolled at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown last month.
