ALL-IRELAND winning Cork footballer Ciarán Sheehan is not being retained by AFL team Carlton.

The talented Ovens native excelled as a young gun when Cork lifted the Sam Maguire back in 2010 but switched to Aussie Rules at the end of 2013. He had previously been on trail with the Carlton club in 2009 but decided to stick with the GAA at the time. 

Unfortunately for Cork fans, he made the switch to Australia after shining for Ireland in the 2013 Compromise Rules series. However, Sheehan, who was a dual Cork minor and when he headed Down Under was being wooed by Jimmy Barry-Murphy to line out for the Rebel hurlers, hasn't been able to make a mark in Australia.

It certainly wasn't from lack of natural ability. Sheehan suffered through a serious of injuries and managed just six AFL fixtures for Carlton – though he also played for Carlton’s Victorian League affiliate, Northern Blues for a spell.

“Ciaran had an unfortunate string of injuries but showed terrific resilience his time at the club. He made the most of his opportunities and we will miss his humility and determination,” Carlton’s head of football Andrew McKay said in a statement.

Sheehan, who doesn't turn 27 until December, would be welcomed back by his club with open arms and no doubt immediately come on the radar of new Cork managers Ronan McCarthy and John Meyler.