Former Cork GAA star Ciaran Sheehan will make his AFL debut for the Carlton Blues this weekend and all under the watchful gaze of his proud mother Liz.

The 23-year old joined the Aussie Rules side last year and after 14 appearances in the VFL, Sheehan will become the 1154th player to represent the club when Carlton take on the Gold Coast.

Having being upgraded from a rookie, the 2010 All-Ireland winner admits he was nervous when he was summoned to manager Mick Malthouse's office, but thankfully he got the news he was craving.

"On Wednesday morning Mick asked could he speak to me for a minute, so I went down to the office and we had a quick chat before he mentioned anything about the game," he told Carlton's official website.

"Then eventually he just said 'Well, you're getting an opportunity this week'. I was overwhelmed but really excited."

Sheehan revealed that as soon as he told his mother, she decided to immediately fly out to watch her son's debut.

"I called my Mum and she was a bit shocked, but very excited as well. I think she was just delighted for me personally and she can't wait to get over and get a look at the game. It's exciting times."

Online Editors