It feels like the AFL have had a bigger presence than ever in the GAA, and it looks like Kerry are set to be the sufferers again.

The Kingdom has been a hotbed for successful Aussie Rules converts, from Tadhg Kennelly in the 2000s to Mark O’Connor in recent years. That’s led to plenty of interest from Down Under in any emerging talent from the Munster county.

Cillian Burke recently signed a new deal until 2027 with Mark O’Connor’s Geelong Cats, while Rob Monahan is still plying his trade at Carlton. Meanwhile, David Clifford was courted for a long time, but resisted the move Down Under.

Two more names could be added to that list as John Fogarty of the Irish Examiner has revealed that two more Kerry U20 stars have been offered contracts to move to Australia, and it’s a star midfield pair.

Daniel Kirby and Evan Boyle were at the heart of the Kingdom’s recent U20 All-Ireland football triumph, which was the first at that level since 2008, and many hoped the pair would make the jump to senior level next season, bolstering a side that just missed out on being back-to-back All-Ireland Champions.

However, that future for Kerry is in doubt now, as it is believed Kirby and Boyle were part of the controversial Richmond AFL combine in Athlone on Monday, though it is not confirmed whether Richmond themselves have offered the deals to the duo.

That combine was the second of its kind to take place this summer, as the Sydney Swans too hosted an event to scout the best up-and-coming GAA athletes, as the trend is only growing.

There have been many calls for the GAA to curb the number of players being poached by AFL sides, with many, including David Clifford, calling for the GAA clubs and county boards to be at least compensated by AFL teams for producing their athletes.

However, with the money that is potentially on offer with the Category B Rookie deals, it’s hard for these young men to turn it down.