AFL combine interest in Naomh Conaill teen  Finnbarr Roarty  

AFL talent scouts hope to have a look at Naomh Conaill ace Finnbarr Roarty when they hold their latest combine trial in Ireland in the next number of weeks. 

The Glenties teenager made headlines back in January when Jim McGuinness promoted him to the Donegal senior ranks ahead of the McKenna Cup. 

McGuinness was subsequently hit with an eight-week ban as it was ruled that Roarty - 17 at the time of the season’s opening clash with Armagh - was deemed to be underage for the game by Ulster GAA officials. 

However, the Donegal boss had that two-month sanction rescinded on appeal. 

Roarty, now 18, is free to hook up with the county senior squad when they get back down to business in late 2024. 

He was part of Martin Regan’s Naomh Conaill side on Sunday as the defending Donegal SFC winners lost out to St Eunan’s in the group stages. 

AFL combines are a regular occurrence in Ireland as rising GAA stars from around the country are put through their paces with the aim to impress on-watching Aussie Rules scouts and earn a trial in Australia. 

Athletic testing such as agility, speed and jumping results are all recorded at the combine, along with an introduction to the oval-shaped ball. 

Michael Murphy and Paddy McBrearty and, more recently, Oisin Gallen and Peadar Mogan have also participated in the AFL’s international talent search.