Roscommon's Daire Cregg reflects on turning down AFL move

Roscommon forward Daire Cregg says his family was one of the key reasons for turning down a move to the Australian Football League (AFL).

Cregg declined an offer from AFL side Carlton last summer, after once again impressing for Davy Burke's side last season.

Despite being only 21, Cregg is regarded as one of the rising stars of Gaelic football, and his talents have caught the attention of admirers worldwide.

While the professional aspect of the AFL was tempting, Cregg admits he never dreamed of playing in Australia.

"I didn't grow up dreaming of playing AFL; I grew up dreaming of playing for Roscommon, and that was the big thing for me," he said.

"The professional draw was definitely something to think about, but as bad as it sounds, it's hard to beat driving up in the rain to Kiltoom or wherever we are training.

"You’re sitting with a couple of the lads in the car, having the craic—it’s hard to beat that.

"You have Enda and Donie Smith going around the club when I was a young fella, and Sean Purcell and David Casey playing for Boyle and Roscommon. They were my heroes.

"That was always something I wanted to do. I didn’t grow up dreaming of playing AFL; that was the big thing for me.

"We have a very close family here at home. There’s the agricultural side of things, my girlfriend too—all of that played a part in the decision-making process."

Despite declining trials with Carlton, Cregg was still offered the chance to make the move. While he turned it down, the notice gave him confidence for the rest of the season. He is also mindful of how challenging such a move can be.

"We were asked to go to trials, but we were playing Mayo in the championship in a couple of weeks, so I turned it down. I had a look one of the days,