St Kilda permits three players to compete in local Gaelic football matches

St Kilda football club has granted permission for Liam O'Connell, Eamonn Armstrong, and Kobe McDonald to return to Ireland to play Gaelic football during the AFL off-season. The three players will participate in a limited number of matches for their local county clubs before returning to Melbourne for pre-season training in November. McDonald, a new Category B rookie, previously helped County Mayo secure a title before moving to Australia. O'Connell, who played 13 games for the club this year, and Armstrong, who spent time in the VFL, are also set to represent their home teams. Club general manager Lenny Hayes stated the decision supports the players' community ties and expects the matches to aid their aerobic conditioning. All three athletes are scheduled to rejoin the AFL side for the start of their pre-season program in November.

• 8:05 AMAFL — Saints give Irish trio the green light for Gaelic return