For Setanta O’hAilpin, life has come full circle.

O’hAilpin was born in Bankstown in Sydney’s west before moving to Ireland at the age of five.

He later returned to Australia to pursue an AFL career, first with Carlton and then with the GIANTS.

Now, with his playing days over, he finds himself back in Western Sydney working for AFL NSW/ACT.

O’hAilpin, who played 88 AFL games, said he was excited about returning to grow the game in Western Sydney.

“I was lucky enough to be born here and later on I ended up living overseas in Ireland where my father is from so I guess this is where it all started for me,” he said. 

“It’s amazing to come 360 degrees and back where I am. It’s the hub of diversity here in the west and to be part of that is amazing.”

He is the Multicultural Program Coordinator for AFL NSW/ACT and has been working out of Blacktown International Sportspark since commencing his role just before Christmas last year.

“I’m privileged to be able to stay in the AFL sanctum and I was lucky enough with the AFL to get a role as a Multicultural Coordinator,” O’hAilpin said.

“It’s something I’m passionate about, giving back to the community.”

O’hAilpin is of Fijian and Irish descent and was named as an AFL Multicultural Ambassador in 2013; working with the AFL NSW/ACT Multicultural Talent Programs throughout the season mentoring young players. 

“I was fortunate enough to fulfill that position when I was at Carlton and this year with the GIANTS,” he said. “There are various types of roles (in my new job) but definitely I’m more hands-on this time around. 

“With my ambassadorial role I was doing a lot more inductions, talks but definitely (now) I’m going to more hands-on, organising programs, getting in amongst it, going to communities, going to schools, coordinating - along with teachers - these programs and there’s a talent aspect of it as well.

“These areas ... it’s about giving kids opportunities and there’s a lot of talent out here, it’s just about getting in amongst it.

“It would be great if there was another Aliir Aliir or Majak Daw coming from the west, it’s going to generate a lot of hype and the communities will get right behind it. The more communities that get involved, the better it is for our game.”