O hAilpin confirms move

Cork's Setanta O hAilpin (right) wants to be a professional

Cork's All Ireland star Setanta O hAilpin will be named in Australian Rules side Carlton when they announce their draft for the next season.

The 20-year-old Young Hurler of the Year has admitted that it is now a done deal with the Melbourne-based side.

''It's been arranged now," said the Sydney-born O hAilpin on the official Carlton club website.

''They approached me six or seven weeks ago. I got onto Carlton's recruiting manager Shane O'Sullivan and he told me to come out and see if I like it and see if they like me as a footballer.

''I had a good season and I picked up two awards, which I was honoured to get.

''It's great for myself and for my family and the opportunity I have now is even bigger.

O hAilpin said that Jim Stynes and Tadhg Kennelly had a big say in his decision.

''As Irish people do, they look out for each other and I'd like to thank Tadhg for the phone call and hopefully we'll meet up one time.

I'd like to see myself as a professional player in the years to come. Setanta O hAilpin

''The biggest thing that drove me here is the way that AFL is professional and I'd like to see myself as a professional player in the years to come.

''They train hard, but at the end of the day, you've got to earn your crust of bread and people have got to work." O hAilpin, whose mother is Fijian, moved to Ireland when he was five.

On Friday evening, O hAilpin won the young hurler award after being selected in the All Star team earlier in the week.

He helped Cork reach this year's All-Ireland Hurling Final where they lost narrowly against Kilkenny.

He is also a talented footballer and his abilities clearly impressed the Aussie Rules outfit.