Carlton will blood another Irishman this weekend with Ciaran Sheehan set to make his debut in the navy blue. 

Sheehan will wear the number 47 guernsey, previously worn by premiership players Neil Chandler and Peter Francis. Mil Hanna also played one game in the jumper back in 1986. 

The 23-year-old Gaelic footballer was recruited to Carlton with the Blues’ third round pick in last year’s rookie draft. 

While learning the rules and structures of his new code, Sheehan impressed in the VFL, where he has run out in 14 games for the Northern Blues this season. 

Northern Blues coach Luke Webster says Sheehan has worked hard and earned his opportunity. 

“Ciaran is the one, out of all our first year guys, who has played the most amount of footy,” Webster said. 

“He started the year learning to play as a forward, and then swung around and learned to play as a backman, and he has adapted to that really well. 

"One of his biggest assets is his speed – and he’s defending the ball really well and also makes good decisions once he gets his hands on the footy.”

Sheehan first came to Carlton with Zach Tuohy in 2009, but opted to return to Ireland to be with family. 

After a standout performance playing for Ireland in last year’s International Rules Series against Australia, Sheehan was again offered the opportunity to make his home at Visy Park – and on this occasion the timing was right. 

He’s being upgraded to the senior list as a replacement for Andrew Walker, who has been placed on Carlton's long term injury list after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an injured knee.