Dublin’s three-time All-Ireland winner Rory O’Carroll is adapting well to life in New Zealand, writes Stephen Barry.

The full-back opted out of Jim Gavin’s team for the 2016 championship and he may not be back for next year either.

However he has taken to the Auckland GAA league like a duck to water and showed off years of physical conditioning in the early moments of a game between his Marist Rangers side and St Pat’s Emerald City.

One of the opposition players stopped to control a loose pass and O’Carroll (in yellow, wearing number 9) quickly floored him with a hard shoulder.

The big hit is 20 seconds into the above clip. Video by Chris Kiely.

Earlier today the Irish Examiner revealed that O’Carroll could remain in New Zealand next year.

His Kilmacud Crokes clubmate Paul Mannion said: “As far as I understand, he won’t be [returning].

“He only arrived in New Zealand a few weeks back. He’s looking to get a job there now and he’s got his girlfriend there, so he seems happy out.

“I don’t expect him to be back next year. We’d love to have him back, but we all wish him well and he’s happy, so that’s the most important thing.”

For the time being, his presence is having a decisive impact for Marist, who won their game by the minimum, 3-10 to 2-12.