By Eoghan Tuohey

Returning to the GAA World Games stage, having played a key role in securing a shield title for Australasia during the 2016 GAA World Games, UK-born Jamie Conlon is likely to spearhead the squad's efforts again in 2019, when he returns to Ireland this summer.

Having been exposed to Gaelic Football during trips to Fossa, Co. Kerry, in his early youth, perhaps Conlon can attribute his prowess on the field to those roots, having spent some 7 years developing his craft in the Kingdom, despite having been reared largely in Australia. The athletic midfielder believes that the experience garnered in 2016 can only help in his side's efforts to go one better this time around.

"After playing in the GAA World Games in 2016, you learn so much from the best players from around the world. We have definitely learned a lot from the last time out and will be using that experience to our advantage in 2019.

It's an incredible experience and we're just looking forward now to getting over there and getting started."

Some of his personal highlights from the Games three years ago were having the opportunity to have family members attend and to share the experience with them -

"When my cousins and uncles came to Dublin to watch the games – it felt like seven years absence fell away and I was home and he particularly enjoyed the sheer delight of the African team." 

The 26-year-old Onkaparinga club-man has Irish connections in Sligo and Cork, where his father and mother are from originally, and he has been living in Australia for some 18 years at this stage. During his Gaelic Football career in the region, the man once affectionately described as a "baby giraffe" for his aerial strength has claimed many honours during that period. Conlon has amassed three league titles, is a five time Australian All-Star, has been club and state captain and was, most recently, voted South Australian State player of the year.

Great things are expected of Conlon and this Australasian football side in the forthcoming Renault GAA World Games - his free taking and ball-winning capabilities will have a significant influence on their progression - it's a burden of responsibility, but one that Conlon will relish.