Parsons plan to keep GAA stars here

GPA chief Tom Parsons reckons improving the lot of inter-county players could make them 'think twice' about leaving for Australia.

- by PAUL KEANE

Kerry look set to be stripped of yet another rising star with county SFC finalist Ben Murphy, 18, expected to sign for Brisbane Lions.

Murphy impressed for Austin Stacks in last weekend’s Kerry decider, a game in which Geelong’s Mark O’Connor also played for victors Dingle.

Losing

Ex-Kerry senior Cillian Burke and Rob Monahan left for clubs Down Under too while Parsons own county, Mayo, has lost a series of top LGFA players.

A total of 39 Irish players are on the books of AFLW teams this season with seven of those coming from Mayo alone.

Parsons said: "If we're losing 40 of our highest profile female Gaelic Games athletes, that young people see playing and those role models are then taken out of our system, it's a huge blow to Gaelic Games.