IRISH hopefuls Stefan Okunbar and Cillian McDaid will travel to Australia later this year after being invited by the League to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The pair were among four prospects from Ireland to train with the NAB AFL Academy in Florida earlier this year as part of the Academy's high performance camp.

Their athleticism and developing skills with the ball impressed recruiters and AFL talent scouts enough to win a call to come to Australia in September to take part in the Academy's training camp, and then trial in front of clubs at October's national combine at Etihad Stadium.

McDaid travelled to Florida for the Academy's tour in 2016 as well but was overlooked by clubs, but his improvement since has caught the eye.

"He starred in the under-21 Gaelic competition and he's been out to the US a couple of times and continues to improve and still focus on a potential AFL career," the AFL's national and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan told AFL.com.au.

"He tested 2.90 seconds for his speed, so he's certainly quick and he's skillful on both sides of the body. His agility is elite, and he's worked very hard to improve his Sherrin skills."

Okunbar is even newer to the Australian game, hailing from Kerry but with a Nigerian background. The 190cm prospect's speed, size and athleticism shone during his week of training with the AFL Academy at the IMG Academy in Florida this January.

"As some of these boys do, he's currently across in the US playing a bit of Gaelic footy, but he'll come out here at the end of the year," Sheehan said.

"He trained the house down with our boys and is desperate for a chance at the professional level. He's got that speed and endurance combination, he works hard. He'd run straight through a brick wall for you and loves the physical contact."

The pair will follow the likes of Essendon's Conor McKenna, Sydney's Colin O'Riordan, St Kilda duo Ray Connellan and Darragh Joyce, and recent Geelong debutant Mark O'Connor as Irish players who have come through the pathway to get selected by AFL clubs.

Clubs will watch the hopefuls at the combine and will also be free to put in offers to them if they are interested in listing them as category B rookies. Under those rules, the international athletes are 'free agents', so can sign with any AFL club at any time.

Sheehan said Ireland continues to provide talent for the AFL ranks.

"We know it's a small market, there's just an odd kid who is prepared to make a massive change in his life to pursue a professional career. It's as simple as that," he said.

"Many boys are happy to stay as amateurs and continue to play Gaelic football, and that's fine. But there is a small number who are prepared to make a massive sacrifice, so we give a couple a chance to try and fulfill that dream. These two boys will be invited for later in the year under the combine program run by former Sydney star Tadhg Kennelly."