John Heslin has revealed how the chance to play sport professionally was too good to resist.

The 18-year-old St. Loman's clubman, who returned from suspension for Westmeath's shock Cadbury Leinster U21FC semi-final defeat to Longford last night, only to be sent off again, has signed a two-year international rookie contract with the Gold Coast Suns and is set to join up with his new Aussie Rules team-mates in the autumn.

Regarded as one of Gaelic football's brightest prospects, Heslin was the stand-out performer in the Lake County's run to last year's Leinster under 21 final and attended a trial in Melbourne last week after being spotted by Aussie Rules scouts during UCD's recent Sigerson Cup campaign.

"It was a great experience to go out there and learn the different aspects to a professional game. I try to be as professional as I can be myself here anyway, watching what I eat and how I train," he said in the Westmeath Independent.

"I am obviously going to miss my friends and playing with the people I have grown up with, but I have to take the chance while it's there. These opportunities don't come along too often, and it's something I've always wanted to do."

The Agricultural Science student will be able to continue his studies Down Under. Tweet

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