Sydney defender Colin O’Riordan recently helped deliver his Gaelic football side Tipperary their first senior football championship in 85 years.
After receiving permission from the Swans to participate in the game, O’Riordan spoke about how grateful he was to be given the opportunity.
"It's an emotional day for me," O'Riordan told The Sunday Game.
"A few weeks ago I didn't think I'd be here and just to be out there with the lads, giving it your all for the sake of Tipperary — I can't put it into words.
"They (Sydney) were 100 per cent within their rights to say no to me and to refuse me permission to play but they had no problem.
"John Longmire and all these lads over there with the Sydney Swans are an incredible organisation."
We are SO proud and happy for our man @colin_oriordan 👏
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) November 22, 2020
Congrats to his side @TipperaryGAA on lifting the trophy as @MunsterGAA Champions for the first time in 85 years! 🏆 🇮🇪 https://t.co/Faayd2rpfg
Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy believes a value can’t be put on the level of trust between player and club.
“It’s not just about him playing, it’s such a connection to his culture and where he’s from so when you get him back he’s got a sense of peace about him,” Murphy told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“Of course he’s going to be homesick, it’s such a long way away, it’s just got to help doesn’t it with his sense of inner peace.
“It’s tied into when you hear ‘oh footy’s a business and there’s no loyalty, loyalty is dead in footy’. No it’s not.
“It’s not, but it’s not blind loyalty. It’s a partnership. It’s got to be a partnership and you can see the O’Riordans and the Swans, seemingly that’s a good match. That they’ll go the extra yard for each other.”
David King believes this is a perfect example of Sydney’s culture.
“They’ve got him for life, haven’t they? They’ve got him eating out of the palm of their hand and the group will know what John Longmire and the Sydney hierarchy has done there to allow him to play,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“If they want to go and recruit an Irish guy, there’s no doubt they go to the Swans straight away.
“This is one of those little things where you can win the group. It’s a literal cultural thing for you and they come in different shapes and sizes."