GAA star Michael Murphy is to swap the round ball for the oval ball for a new RTE television series.
The Glenswilly man, one of Ireland’s most-recognised GAA players, is to try his hand at rugby in the New Year.
The Irish Mirror reports Murphy is to take part in the RTE reality television show, The Toughest Trade.
The show will see Murphy join top French rugby side Clermont while legendary rugby star Shane Williams is to travel to Donegal to take up GAA.
Williams will arrive in Donegal in the middle of January where he will spend a week learning the skills of GAA with Glenswilly, who are the reigning Donegal senior county champions.
He is to be put through his paces by Glenswilly captain GaryMcFadden and his team-mates and will then take part in a ‘friendly’game.
He will also immerse himself in local culture and plans are being madeto take him to local traditional music sessions and to visit local schools.
He is also expected to visit Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure, asports shop run by Murphy and his fellow Donegal GAA star Neil Gallagher.
Murphy is to travel to France in February to try his hand at rugby.
The 27 year old, 6’2” athlete is considered one of the most talented GAA stars in recent times and led his county to All-Ireland glory in 2012.
He was offered a lucrative deal to travel to Australia to begin a contract with Australian Rules football but turned it down.
A source close to Murphy said “Michael is a natural athlete and can play most sports he turns his hand to.
“He’s really looking forward to this experiment and pitting himself against some really talented rugby players.
“He has the size, the skill and the speed so it will be interesting to see how he takes to rugby.”
Last year’s show included a swap which saw Mayo GAA star Aidan O’Shea take up American Football while Tipperary hurler Brendan Maher headed to Australia to take up cricket.
The Toughest Trade is expected to be shown on RTE television in March.
