Sheehan impresses on AFL debut for Carlton

Anyone who followed Ciarán Sheehan's Gaelic football career closely won't be too surprised to read the dispatches from Australia lauding the former Cork forward for his superb AFL debut for Carlton at the weekend.

Sheehan signed for the Melbourne-based Blues last November on a two-year deal and made his full debut for the club's senior side in a 39-point win over Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 23-year-old, whose mother Liz flew out to watch the game at the Etihad Stadium, played the full four quarters, setting up a goal and making 13 possessions in a debut to remember.

"It was brilliant, quite overwhelming," Sheehan told afl.com.au after the game.

"It's great to run out with all the lads after training with them all year, and to play alongside the likes of Marc Murphy and Chris Judd is a great honour for me.

"It was great to get a full run out to see where you're at in terms of the pace of the game and your fitness, so I was quite happy to get the full game."

Sheehan first signed for the club in 2009, but the Éire Óg clubman decided not to pursue an career in the AFL at the time, returning home instead to line out for Cork.

However, following his superb performances for Ireland in the International Rules Series last October, Carlton, who already have Irish men Zach Tuohy (Laois) and Ciarán Byrne (Louth) on their books, renewed their interest and the 2010 All-Ireland winner made the move back to the south coast of Australia.

Blues coach Mick Malthouse informed Sheehan that he was going to start against Gold Coast last Tuesday, allowing his mother to make the trip over from Farran, just outside Cork city.

"She was well able to make the trip and she really wanted to see it, it's a one off thing," he added.

"My girlfriend Amy at home, who was out with me from the start, she didn't get the opportunity to come out, she has exams.

"She's been with me all the way so I owe an awful lot to her.

"I think a lot of friends and family back home all tuned in, so it was great to have their support even from back home."