Kerry U-20 manager Tomás Ó Sé hates the way AFL is recruiting young Irish players

Kerry U-20 manager Tomás Ó Sé has claimed that one of his players, a Leaving Cert student, is being actively 'tapped up' by an AFL club.

Ó Sé has been a high-profile critic over the years of Australian clubs poaching GAA players. It has seen former U-20 players Kerry's Cillian Burke and Rob Monahan join Geelong and Carlton respectively.

Dingle's Mark O'Connor is also at Geelong, following the path of Listowel's Tadhg Kennelly who previously won an AFL title with Sydney Swans.

AFL activity is an ongoing source of frustration in Kerry with county chairman Patrick O'Sullivan stating last December that no less than seven local players were being tracked by clubs.

Speaking at the launch of Dalata Hotel Group's five-year sponsorship of the U-20 football championship, O Se said he 'hates' the way AFL recruitment is carried out here and pointed to the alleged tapping up.

"I think it's wrong what's going on," said Ó Sé. "I think there's players being tapped up, I know for a fact that there's an U-20 player in Kerry being rang by coaches from an Australian club.

"If it was a professional, I don't know what the rules are, but if it was soccer or rugby I don't think they'd be allowed to do that, when the fella is doing the Leaving Cert. Don't get me wrong, fellas think I'm completely against a fella going out. If the offer is there, I'd wish him all the best and I'd always wish him all the best and I hope there's success out there and it's brilliant.

Ó Sé also vented his frustration that individual players are choosing the AFL over an intercounty career with Kerry.

"I wish the lads well and all but it's a huge loss to Kerry football, no matter what way you look at it. Cillian Burke has gone, Rob Monahan has gone, Mark O'Connor has gone.

"t's happening up the north as well and it's happening elsewhere, in other counties," he said.

Ó Sé has spoken in the past about possible compensation for GAA clubs or counties who lose a player.