Kilkenny opts for Hawthorn

Ciaran Kilkenny has dealt Dublin a huge blow by agreeing to join Australian club Hawthorn.

Kilkenny was offered a trial with AFL club Carlton after playing a key role in the march of Dublin’s football and hurling minors to last September’s All-Ireland finals, but he decided to defer his trial in order to further his Gaelic career.

His progression to the senior side did not go unnoticed and both Carlton and Hawthorn kept a close eye on his progress.

The Castleknock player started for Dublin in their All-Ireland SFC semi-final loss to Mayo and was sure to figure in the Metropolitans plans for 2013.

However, his decision to join Hawthorn will be a major blow to whoever succeeds Pat Gilroy as Dublin manager.

Outgoing Dublin minor manager Dessie Farrell is delighted for Kilkenny but admits it is a sad day for GAA in the county.

“From his own point of view and that of his family, I’d be delighted for him,” Farrell told the Evening Herald.

“Sport is his life and he has devoted himself to it and he’s just one of these young lads with enormous talent and a huge depth of knowledge across a range of sports and he has the talent and the tools to back it up.

“To be identified and hand picked by a team in another code is a huge honour for him and he deserves great credit for that.

“It’s testament to how he carries himself and how he conducts himself and I can only wish him the very best.”