BEGLEY SECURES FUTURE.

Byline: By AHMER KHOKHAR

BRISBANE LIONS recruiting boss Graeme Allan has revealed that former Laios starlet Colm Begley will be offered a new deal with the Aussie rules outfit.

The Stradbally man's existing two-year deal expires at the end of the current AFL season in two weeks but Allan has urged Begley to rest easy ahead of pre-season training in November.

Begley has played 21 senior matches in two injury-hit seasons.

The 22-year-old made his senior debut in the 2007 pre-season NAB Cup after just a few weeks in Australia and held the record for the fastest Irish debut in the AFL until ex-Down minor player Martin Clarke reclaimed the honour for Collingwood last year.

"Colm will be alright," Allan told Mirror Sport.

"We will be offering him a new contract because we want him to stay with the Lions.

ATHLETE

"Colm is a very good athlete and we are very pleased with his progress.

"He has been injured which is frustrating but hopefully he will put that behind him next season."

Begley, who was spotted in Ireland's U-19 International Rules side against Australia a few years ago, plans to return to Australia earlier than usual to work on his fitness and has made himself available for October's resurrected International Rules series.

Meanwhile, Mayo teenager Pearce Hanley has impressed Lions officials to the extent that they believe he could emulate Martin Clarke's performances for Collingwood.

The Ballaghaderreen teenager made a shock senior AFL debut in Brisbane's second last AFL match of the season against Carlton and Allan expects him to flourish next term.

"Pearce is a natural athlete and he is very gifted in terms of reading the game," Allan said. "He's a quick learner and he proved against Carlton that he's got exceptional ability.

"He picked up an injury this year but with a good pre-season under his belt he could do special things for us next year."

CAPTION(S):

POTENTIAL Colm Begley