A YOUNG Saul Gaelic footballer has just jetted off to Australia to compete for a potential Aussie Rules professional contract.
Under the expert guidance of former Down and AFL star Marty Clarke, 20 year-old Pierce Laverty has successfully secured a ticket to Melbourne for a series of trials.
Pierce will get a week to train and acclimatise before testing starts on October 1 in goal kicking, skills, agility, time-trials and jump tests.
All the big AFL clubs will be observing the training and testing week and will select players who they think are good enough to make it.
Typically, Pierce is taking this opportunity in his stride, and it’s his combination of skill, athleticism and attitude that has set him apart.
Unfortunately, Pierce will miss Saul’s Parador Lodge IFC semi-final clash with Bredagh in Newry on Saturday night, but he’s hoping his team-mates can make it through without him and that he will be home in time for the final.