FORMER Penshurst footballer, David O’Brien, has been selected in an Australian AFL Masters over 50s side to tour Ireland next March.

O’Brien won a premiership with Penshurst seconds in 2003, along with brothers, Daniel, Peter and Matthew, and a second time with the reserves in 2016.

The 53-year-old has previously won selections in two Australian AFL Masters side - in  2017 playing in the over 45s in the midfield, and in 2022 in the over 50s in the back pocket, but an international tour to Ireland takes his selection to a new level - one that delighted and surprised him.

“I was not the greatest footballer in my playing days at Penshurst and many other clubs, but you could say the competition has thinned out a bit,” O’Brien said.

“I have always said that Aussie Rules football played at a local level, is a great game involving all walks of life and body shapes.

“Although mainly a back pocket, I have played in all positions, including midfield, ruck and forward, over 45 years. I am happy to play anywhere the coaching staff decide,” he added.

“There is also a goalie position in International rules, but at the moment I am getting my running and endurance skills up.

“If my selection encourages a few more western Victorians to take up masters football or keep another couple of reserves sides on the park each Saturday, then that’s a great goal achieved.”

The 11-day tour will include two tests and a social game.

The Irish games will be played under international rules and the Australian coaching staff is led by former AFL superstar, Jason Akermanis, who will also play in the over 40s division. There is also a social game of Aussie Rules against the British national side at the end of the tour.

The 53-year-old lives at Bellbrae, but still farms with his family as part of the Garrangreena Partnership north of Penshurst, and would like to see a Masters competition start in 2025 in the Western District.

“We have just formed a new Masters club, the South Coast Sharks, in the Surf Coast area and we have applied to enter the Victorian Country League next year.

“A few of us are looking to start a Western Victorian club as well - maybe based at Penshurst - to try and enter the competition in 2025. We will be trying to host a trial (non-contact) game next June or July on a Sunday at Penshurst.

“Interested players from the Hamilton, Warrnambool or Mininera areas can contact myself, Tony Lovell, Wayne Loader (Ballarat Masters), Brent Ali (Vic Country Masters president) or Leigh Uebergang (Penshurst legend), who will likely captain the West Vic side for the day.”

“Ultimately if a club or clubs are formed, they can determine the location of the ground, name and jumpers and whether to play contact or non-contact Masters footy,” David added.

O’Brien suggested the trial game at Penshurst in winter because of personal knowledge of the ground. 

“It will be very soft in June or July and that certainly helps us older footballers,” he said.

It is a high-quality squad with 13 of the 21 players in the Masters 50s winning at least three All Australian honors, which is rare given there are only 15 players in a team.

In preparation for the tour, O’Brien has already played Gaelic football with a Geelong league side, Western Bullcalves, who were grand finalists in the local Geelong Gaelic League this year.

“I have played Gaelic football and it’s a fast-running game with the bumping and dispossession skills of Aussie Rules.

“I have always enjoyed the bumping and tackling side of Aussie Rules, and some would say the Masters is a league full of back pocket players who enjoy the physical side of football.

“But somehow I have made the Aussie over 50s team, so it’s never too late for the more talented western Victorian footballers to put the boots back on and get out for at least one more kick of the leather.”