It’s been quite a year for John Phiri.
The Carlow Town player helped his club to Intermediate Championship glory at the weekend, as they beat Burren Rangers 4-18 to 16 points in the county final.
But there’s another opportunity waiting for Phiri, with a trial at Australian Rules club Richmond FC coming up in the coming weeks.
Phiri was one of the players to impress at last month’s combine in TUS Athlone, earning the opportunity to travel to Australia alongside Kerry’s Evan Boyle.
And it’s the latest chapter in what has already been a memorable year.
Back in March, Phiri helped Carlow to their first national football title since 1944, as they defeated Longford in the Division 4 Final at Croke Park.
Now, after adding a county hurling title with Carlow Town, he has the chance to see where a career in Australian Rules could take him.
Speaking after Sunday’s Intermediate Final, Phiri admitted it’s an opportunity he simply couldn’t turn down.
“It has been an amazing year. When the opportunity came, you can’t turn something like that down. That is what it is, an opportunity.
“I’m just going to see how it goes. Hopefully whatever is meant to be will be.
“I could be here next year, I might not be, but I’m just going to enjoy this with the lads today.”
For now, Phiri can enjoy another county title with Carlow Town before turning his attention to the next opportunity in what has already been an extraordinary 2026.
