The AFL's Irish experiment will continue in the wake of this year's reality check.

Sydney have not given up all hope that Tadhg Kennelly will return, while Collingwood duo Marty Clarke and rookie Kevin Dyas have decided to return home.

Swans coach Paul Roos has just returned from a trip to Ireland to watch Kennelly help Kerry to victory in the All-Ireland Gaelic football final.

Roos said the latest developments with Irish players merely confirmed that it is a tough assignment for them to commit to an AFL career.

"We were always aware it takes a certain player to do it - I don't think it will change people's thinking dramatically," Roos said.

"I don't think anyone is over there thinking `we're going to get 10-20 players' or whatever', but I think it just really reinforces the clubs' belief that it is hard.

"Not everyone can do it, from a physical point of view, but also not everyone can do it from an emotional point of view, it's a big commitment."

While in Ireland, Roos met with the Swans' latest recruit, Chris McKaigue.

"Clubs aren't making huge financial investments over there anyway, probably what it means is you're not going to pour any more money into it," Roos said.

"But you'll still keep an eye on it, you'll still look at some players."

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said the club also remained interested in recruiting Irish players.

He said Collingwood had always been well aware of the issues involved in recruiting players from the other side of the world.

"We don't measure it at the winning post, we measure it at the starting barrier," Walsh said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP