Cillian Burke of Kerry has reached an agreement to sign a “Category B Rookie” contract with the Geelong Cats of the AFL.
Under Jack O’Connor, the 21-year-old has had a significant influence this season. He scored a point in the semi-final loss to Armagh and came off the bench to good effect in the summer’s senior championship matches against Derry and Armagh.
Those in the Kingdom will have been hoping that the youngster might remain for another crack at Sam Maguire in 2025.
Burke will see a familiar face when he arrives in southern Australia, as Dingle’s Mark O’Connor has spent eight years within the Cats’ roster.
The Milltown man is quite the coup for the Aussie Rules side. He’s a two-time Munster U20 winner who can play anywhere from wing-back to half-forward.
We know that Cillian, a well-known GGA (sic) player, has taken a significant life decision by relocating to Australia.
“We have a plan in place to ensure a seamless transition to the Cats and our football program, and we will support him.”
This year, Geelong placed third in the regular Aussie Rules season and lost to eventual champions Brisbane by a slim margin in the preliminary (semi) final.
Burke takes over for departing Laois star Zach Tuohy, who confirmed his AFL retirement after 15 years in Australia
Prior to joining Geelong in 2016, Tuohy spent four seasons playing for Carlton.
Last year, the 34-year-old broke Jim Stynes’ record of 264 appearances, making him the most-capped Irish player in AFL history.
Along with colleague Mark O’Connor, Tadhg Kennelly, and Conor McKenna, who won this year’s title with the Brisbane Lions, Tuohy is one of just four Irish players to win an AFL premiership.At the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Geelong Cats at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 04, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia, Zach Tuohy of the Cats appears disheartened following a defeat. (Image via Getty Images, courtesy of Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
Prior to joining Geelong in 2016, Tuohy spent four seasons playing for Carlton.
Last year, the 34-year-old broke Jim Stynes’ record of 264 appearances, making him the most-capped Irish player in AFL history.
Along with colleague Mark O’Connor, Tadhg Kennelly, and Conor McKenna, who won this year’s title with the Brisbane Lions, Tuohy is one of just four Irish players to win an AFL premiership.
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