THREE AUSTRALIAN RULES clubs are in the race to sign the highly-rated young Kerry footballer Mark O’Connor.
The 19 year-old is regarded as one of the best prospects in Kerry after bursting to prominence with his exploits for the county minor side and at schools level with PS Chorca Dhuibhne.
After a recent spell in Melbourne having trials with clubs, the AFL’s official website has reported that O’Connor’s signature is coveted by the Geelong, North Melbourne and Melbourne clubs.
O’Connor also had trials with Essendon and Carlton during his two-week stay before returning to Ireland. He is now set to consider his options and is eligible to be signed as a Category B rookie.
The Dingle native impressed at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, particularly in finishing fourth overall in the 3km time trial with a time of 9.56.
“I do want to pursue an AFL career. It’s definitely something I want to do. It’s hard work but it’s just so rewarding,” O’Connor told the AFL website.
“At home it’s all amateur sport and there’s no professionals in the game at all. To be able to spend all of my time trying to improve my game is something that I’d like.
“I’ll go back home and talk to my parents and talk things through and see what’s on the table.”
Yesterday O’Connor’s club Dingle lost the Kerry senior football semi-final against Dr Crokes by 1-15 to 0-15. Named at number 29 on the match programme, he did not see action during the game at Fitzgerald Stadium.
O’Connor captained Kerry to last year’s All-Ireland minor football title and was also the man-of-the-match winner in that final success. In 2014 he won an All-Ireland minor medal when Kerry defeated Donegal in the final.
In both 2014 and 2015, he won Hogan Cup medals in Croke Park with the Dingle-based school PS Chorca Dhuibhne and was also awarded the man-of-the-match award in both those deciders.
This year O’Connor played in the Munster U21 football final in April for Kerry and scored a goal in their defeat to Cork, while he was part of the extended Kerry senior panel this summer.
After being invited to an Aussie Rules trial event in Ireland by Tadhg Kennelly, the way was paved for O’Connor to head to Australia for further trials.
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It’s a just reward really. I’d have been calling for Fitzgerald, but my main conplaint about Earls has been defence and he’s shut that up to be honest. It’d be nice to know if he is an option for centre cover going forwards.
Yeah. Speaking as one of his vocal detractors he’s been very sound defensively in the first two games. hopefully he’ll make it three from three.
I’m mostly suprised he’s going for three matches in a row.
He can’t really intend to start him against France then considering if we win he could potentially have to go 7 weeks without a break between matches. That would be tough enough for even someone with notable stamina reserves like Heaslip.
Professional players playing 3 weekends in a row is not really a cause for concern. DTH Van Der Merwe was doing 3 games in 11 days!
Why can’t intend on starting him V France?
He’s been outstanding and the crap about his so called defensive frailties is just that, crap.
Barring injury he’s a shoe in for the France game.
Yeah the 3 matches isn’t really the big deal its more the potentially of having to play 5,6 or even 7.
Canada could have DTH in all their games because it would have been very optimisitic of them to expect to qualify ahead of us or France, so really they’re searching for any wins they can get.
I’m not arguing that he can’t play, I rate Earls highly, I’m arguing the logic of starting a guy with a long injury history for 4 international tests in a row.
wellan injury is healed or it’s not. when it’s not you have the protracted return to form we’ve seen…so let’s assume hes in the clear. If you ask him does he want to work at Bunratty Castle to avoid injury or potentially play in 8 games and get f3cked, which do you think he’d take?
Honestly, the thought of Bastereux running at him full pelt scares me. Earls has kicked on in a massive way but I’d much rather a certain stronger defensive pairing for that game.
Imagine the look on Basteraud’s face when He gets levelled by the smallest player on the pitch.
I agree with David. As I posted on the other article I’m surprised at Earls inclusion simply because I think he should start against France on the wing and in the (hopefully) subsequent matches. However, unlike most of the team he will have started every game if that’s the case.
Never really noticed Kieth until the Wales game in the Aviva his tackling and counter rucking was too class and since then really enjoy watching him do his business.
Sound.
Hes a good winger but not a centre especially against an elite team. Would have went with Fitzgerald at 13 and earls on wing instead of bowe.
Ireland’s weakness is the midfield where there is a lack of creativity and line breaks
Earls will shut up a lot of clowns on this site and so will Joe , ya Joe hasn’t a clue what he’s at , ya useless coach , ya who in their right mind would start a player that at 21 was picked to go on a loins tour , ya has no talent , Joe is chancing his arm , oh my god
So has he left Boyzone for good now?