Derry minor star Conor Glass is the latest prodigious talent on the GAA circuit to be awarded a contract with an AFL side.
The 18-year-old has signed a deal with the Hawthorn club as a Category B International rookie. Hawthorn scouts have been interested in recruiting Conor Glass for the past two years and he is expected to move over to Australia after he completes his Leaving Cert this year.
Speaking to the Hawthorn website, Glass explained that he is delighted to get the opportunity to play a professional sport.
Gaelic football is known to be an amateur sport and it's not gonna get you any money so making the transtion from an amateur sport to a professional sport is my main aim and that's one of the reasons why I'm going.
The Derry player added that maturing into an assistant AFL player is his ultimate aim and says that learning the skills of Australian is proving manageable so far.
It's the shape of the ball really. My kicking is fine and all the attributes of running and tackling so it's just the style of the football and getting used to the type of play. Gaelic has more stoppages whereas AFL is more stop-start
Glass played an inspirational role as captain of the Derry minors this year, captaining them to an Ulster title and an All-Ireland semi-final. He also enjoyed success with his club Glen as well as a Hogan cup with his school St Patrick's.
Tipperary's Colin O'Riordan has also been offered the chance to play in the AFL, after impressing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine to earn a spot with the Sydney Swans club as a rookie signing.
