Conor McKenna Advocates for Irish Athletes to Join AFL

Conor McKenna, a dual premiership player with Brisbane, has urged Irish athletes in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to transition to the AFL, emphasizing the superior opportunities available in Australian football.

McKenna, who has played 149 games and won two premierships with the Lions, was scouted from County Tyrone before joining Essendon in 2015. He highlighted the presence of other Irish players in the AFL, including Oisin Mullin, Mark O'Connor, and Finnbarr Roarty, who recently signed with Collingwood.

He expressed understanding of concerns regarding talent loss from the GAA but argued that the professional contracts offered at a young age are compelling. McKenna also pointed out the differences in training schedules, stating that the AFL's off-season structure is more manageable compared to the continuous demands of Gaelic football. He suggested that AFL clubs should provide compensation to Irish clubs for players they recruit, advocating for a payment system to address the financial impact on GAA.