Melbourne club said: "We're excited by the attributes he brings, but we also recognise the transition from Gaelic football to AFL takes time."

The Royals eased past Kildare by 1-21 to 10 points in Newbridge.

Chair of the GAA’s National Committee on Demographics, Benny Hurl, said successive governments have "allowed rural depopulation to occur"

Kerry kingpins Dr Crokes will go up against Tyrone's Errigal Ciarán in Newbridge from at 3pm.

Connacht breezed past Leinster by 22 points.