Former Mayo minor football captain and Brisbane Lions’ player Cian Hanley is reportedly set to return to Ireland in the next couple of weeks.
Midwest Radio understands that former Mayo Minor star and Ballaghadereen clubman, Cian Hanley is to return home to Ireland this month ending his time with #AFL club Brisbane Lions. pic.twitter.com/2UMfrbNXtM
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) February 8, 2018
Hanley had been de-listed’ from the Lions’ AFL squad at the end of last year but initially confirmed he was set to stay on, just not on the senior squad.
It now looks like the 21-year-old will return to Ireland earlier than expected.
Hanley won a Connacht minor title in 2014 but followed his brother, Pearce, to Australia in order to pursue an AFL career.
Should Hanley return to Mayo he could hand the county a huge boost. The talented half-forward seemed destined for a fine inter-county career before his departure. Injuries curtailed his initial few years but last summer he finally made a return and scored a goal for the Lions' reserve team.
A special AFL ruling allowed the Lions to retain Hanley as an International rookie for a fourth consecutive year last November. The rule is usually limited to three years, but due to the loss of his younger brother Tommy to cancer was granted the request.
