Coney will embark on AFL career

Coney helped Tyrone minors win the All-Ireland title on Saturday

Tyrone minor star Kyle Coney has confirmed that he will head to Australia in November to begin an AFL career with the Sydney Swans.

Coney signed a two-year rookie deal in July and he has denied suggestions that he was wavering over his decision.

Earlier this week, Sean Cavanagh said that he had advised Coney to reconsider and said the youngster appeared to be "humming and hawing" over the move.

However, Coney told the Irish News that "There are no major second thoughts".

"That was just me and him (Cavanagh) talking," added Coney.

Cavanagh had revealed that Coney's parents had asked the midfielder to discuss the issue with the Ardboe youngster.

"And after speaking to his parents as well, they were maybe hoping that Kyle would stay at home.

"When you see his performances for the minors, you can see why there is interest in him in Australia.

And when you go over as an international rookie, you're not talking about big money - maybe around 20,000 Euro a year Sean Cavanagh

"But the way the GAA is going at the minute, my advice to him would be to stay with the GAA because there are that many opportunities.

"With the way Tyrone are going at the minute, it would be hard for him to turn his back on his county.

"But at the end of the day, it's a personal decision for him."

Cavanagh has turned down a couple of offers to move the AFL and Coney sought out the Moy man's reasons for not making the move.

"He asked me why I turned it down and the main reason was that I didn't want to walk away from the game I love and go over and play a game that maybe I wouldn't love so much or maybe not even like at all.

"And when you go over as an international rookie, you're not talking about big money - maybe around 20,000 Euro a year.

"From that point of view, being a professional athlete, but not being paid great money, is not ideal."

In 2006, Down lost one of their outstanding young talents when Martin Clarke joined AFL side Collingwood while several other young GAA stars have also moved Down Under.