Andy Moran has had a closer eye than most on Cian Hanley since he returned to Ireland. The former Mayo minor captain ended three years in Aussie Rules with the Brisbane Lions when he came back home in February.
Hanley has been doing a bit of work with Moran at his gym in Castlebar. The two also play for the same club - Ballaghaderreen.
"He's got two good club games under his belt in the last two weeks. The first game back probably didn't go as well as he would have liked but last weekend he had a really strong game for the club and he plays Club Championship this week," Moran told Balls at the launch of Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps.
It's very exciting for him, it's very exciting for the club and hopefully by the end of the summer he will really add something to Mayo.
If he can hit the ground running, Hanley should be a valuable asset for Mayo this summer; a much-needed addition to a squad which always has the hint that it requires freshening.
The 22-year-old's time in Australia was hampered by injury. He missed the 2015 season due to a torn ACL sustained while playing for the Mayo minors in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. A groin injury hindered his progress the following year.
Despite problems, Moran says that Hanley loved his time in Australia but the calling of Ireland brought him back.
The 2017 Footballer of the Year believes his clubmate will have an impact for Mayo.
"He's a really ambitious guy, a really fit individual. I know Cian since he was a kid and you can really see the benefits of the professional training on his body in terms of shape and in terms of power.
"Cian Hanley is a hungry boy and he expects to be involved himself."
