Eoin McElholm's focus firmly on Tyrone amid AFL possibilities

Irish Examiner

a day ago

Rising Tyrone star Eoin McElholm says he's still open to a potential AFL switch but has placed it on the backburner whilst he concentrates on the All-Ireland SFC.
The Loughmacrory teenager highlighted his talent yet again last month with 2-4 in Tyrone's Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U-20 final defeat of Louth.
His two goals midway through the second-half helped propel Tyrone to back-to-back titles having also fired 0-7 in last year's final win over Kerry.
McElholm previously featured in the 2021 All-Ireland minor final and hit 2-5 for Omagh CBS in the 2023 Hogan Cup final, lifting that cup as captain.
Later that year, he impressed AFL scouts at the Draft Combine in Melbourne, excelling in the sprint section, and spent two weeks on trial at Fremantle last July.
After coming on in Tyrone's first three senior Championship games this year, he could yet make his first Championship start this Sunday in the crucial Group 1 clash with Cavan.
Picking up his Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U-20 Footballer of the Year award, McElholm says he is 'keeping in touch' with Fremantle.
"If the opportunity came, I'd definitely look into it," he said. "Because I was out twice and really enjoyed it out there. I really enjoyed the whole experience. But just for the meantime, the focus is on Tyrone and what happens there."
McElholm said he has developed an interest in the oval ball game and watches Fremantle play whenever he can.
But he acknowledged that it would be difficult to walk away from Tyrone just as his senior career is starting.
"It definitely would," said McElholm, who made his senior debut as a sub in last year's Championship defeat to Roscommon. "It wouldn't be a straightforward decision. I'd obviously have to think about it and stuff. I just really enjoyed the opportunity and obviously if things weren't going well, you're always only a flight away from home."
Meath's Cian McBride, who had a four-year stint at Essendon, spoke recently about the club being won over specifically by his speed.
"I did the combine over there, when I went out two years ago," said McElholm of how he impressed scouts. "So it's the 2km run, the 20m sprint, the jump and agility test. I actually did well in the 20m sprint, I got top 10, ninth. Probably the rest of my scores weren't as good as the sprint. But that's what they really look into, yeah, your physical attributes. Because they know when you're over there, you'll have the skill base to pick up on their game and learn it."
McElholm will hope to impress again for Tyrone on Sunday in Enniskillen.
A win over Cavan could secure them top spot in the group, and an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final place, although a loss could potentially spell the end of their campaign.
It bodes well that they beat Cavan earlier this season in Ulster and haven't lost a Championship game to the Breffni since 1983.
"It's a knock-out game, that's the way you have to look at it," said McElholm, a Sigerson Cup semi-finalist earlier this year with Ulster University. "It's an elimination game now. You have to prepare for it as if it's your last chance basically. The main thing is getting a performance.
"Cavan showed great glimpses of what they can do against Mayo and Donegal. They're going to be very up for it, especially after us beating them in the Ulster championship."
After losing to Mayo in Round 2, Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke may fancy making changes in attack, potentially paving the way for a McElholm start.
But with the Canavan brothers, Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Mark Bradley and Peter Harte among those vying for spots, it's ultra competitive.
"The two Canavans and Petey and Darren, they're boys who you watched growing up," said McElholm. "Now playing with them and learning different tips and skills, it's a complete pleasure."