There have been plenty of instances where two Irishmen have walked into a bar, but what about when two of them spend a fortnight rooming together on an Australian Football training camp in Arizona?
For Martin Clarke and Caolan Mooney, the pre-season introduction (or reintroduction, in Marty’s case) to professional football has had more benefits than improving their fitness levels.
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It has allowed both to slip seamlessly into the culture of the playing list, with both players speaking glowingly of the off-field benefits the camp has provided.
“It’s been perfect to have this camp, just to get to know everyone,” Clarke told CTV.
“After training you’re going back to the same area and not splitting up. I hardly feel as if I’ve been away. Despite all the success the team’s had in the two years I’ve been gone, I’ve just been welcomed straight back in.”
The 18-year-old Mooney agrees.
“Back in Melbourne, I found it hard to get to know a few boys because they’re all doing their different things, but here you’re together, you’re playing and you’re eating together so a few boys let their walls down and you get to talk to them.
“It’s been a good experience, and you feel well at home here”.
Collingwood fans have a good understanding of what Clarke will bring to the team. He played 46 games for the club between 2007 and 2009, including five finals, but spent the past two seasons playing Gaelic Football for County Down in the GAA.
They aren’t as well versed on Mooney, though, who also played for County Down during his Gaelic career. He has floored many at the club with his athleticism and turn of speed, which are attributes he shares with Dale Thomas, the player he has modelled himself on since he committed to joining the Magpies in 2010.
“I think the player I play like would be Dale Thomas. And even more so internally, he’s very motivating, and you watch him and you want to just do what he’s doing,” Mooney enthuses.
“He’s getting everyone up and he’s good to watch.”
The Collingwood that Clarke returns to has changed considerably since his departure in September 2009. Nathan Buckley, a former teammate, is now the senior coach and of the nine assistant coaches, none were in their current roles two years ago.
Clarke has already noted similarities between Buckley the player and Buckley the coach, and is looking forward to working beneath him.
“Under Nathan, as a player he didn’t leave any stone unturned in his planning in his preparation, even though he was a great player. So as a coach, he’s the same.
“He doesn’t miss a trick at training. If you’re doing well he’s letting you know and if you need improvement he’s letting you know, so I think he’ll be good for every player.”
Mooney joins current rookie Paul Cribbin, former County Armagh product Kevin Dyas (2008-2009) and Clarke as the latest leg of the Magpies Irish experiment. The hardest part of his formal introduction to the club hasn’t been the training, though. It’s rooming with Clarke that has taken the most adjusting.
“I think the biggest aspect that’s been hard to come through has been living with you, Marty!
In reply, Clarke muses that “just because we’re Irish, everyone seems to think we’ll all get along together really well, but it hasn’t really worked out”.
If they can transfer their off-field banter to on-field teamwork, the Pies will be well placed to benefit for years to come.
