Former Blue Ciaran Byrne has confirmed he’s been approached by Carlton for a return to the AFL and is weighing up his options.
The Irishman, who currently plays Gaelic footy for Louth, was a part of five injury-interrupted seasons at Carlton before returning to Ireland in 2018.
But speaking on LMFM radio in Ireland, Byrne confirmed his former club had been in touch.
“I feel like the whole county has been talking about it at this stage rumours do spread,” he said, per Independent.ie.
“Look they have been in contact there’s no lying about it and it is something I am considering at this stage. I’m 27 now, definitely getting on and don’t get me wrong I love GAA and GAA is my first love.
“And I have a bit of decision to make ... they have been in touch, GAA is my first protocol now at the minute and look it is an option and it is something I have to consider and see where it takes me.
“I think I’m home three years at this stage and don’t get me wrong, I love home. And it’s a big year for Louth next year and it’s a decision I am not taking lightly. And at the minute it probably is looking towards staying at home and we have gone so far with Louth at this stage.
"We’re in Division 2 and a Mickey and Gavin (Devlin) are putting together something special and I don’t want to miss that either. So it is something that is being put into place this last couple of weeks. I (pass) no remarks of it, people are talking about it as much as I am I haven’t thought about it... We’ll see how the next couple of weeks go.
“I feel like there was always an itch I wanted to scratch. I had an interrupted couple of seasons out there and only ended up playing (around) 25 games which in the grand scheme of things is quite cool I did achieve that, but I always see myself as a player who would have played a lot more games if I wasn’t injured as much.
“So it probably was an itch I wanted to scratch but as I said for now my eyes are set on preparing for GAA next season and as I said we’ll see how the next couple of weeks go.”
The 27-year-old joined the Blues as a category B rookie in 2014.
He played 22 games, including the first half of the 2016 season before a torn ACL against Collingwood derailed his AFL career.
Fellow Irishman and former Bomber Conor McKenna is also weighing up a return to the AFL and has been linked with a move to Geelong.