Kerry starlet Cillian Burke, 21, has joined Geelong as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2025 AFL season.
The former Kingdom underage player impressed in a breakthrough GAA campaign this year but has opted to play professionally Down Under where he will join forces with fellow Kerryman Mark O’Connor and Meath’s Oisin Mullin at the Cats.
Alongside the men, Geelong have Irish ladies Kate Kenny, Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Anna-Rose Kennedy in their AFLW team this year.
“Cillian is a very athletic and talented prospect, we are thrilled he has decided to join Geelong and can’t wait to welcome him to Australia next month,” Geelong General Manager of Football Andrew Mackie said.
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“A very established GAA player, we understand Cillian has made a big life decision to move to Australia.
“We will support him and have a plan in place to make a smooth transition to our football program.”
Burke is scheduled to arrive in Australia late next month to begin a brutal pre-season training programme in scorching summer temperatures.
The 2025 AFL men’s season is likely to start in early March.
In other news, the AFL is strongly considering a history-making night AFLW Grand Final on November 30.
The venue is undecided and will be confirmed once the two participants are known following the preliminary finals.
Ulster’s two Amy’s, Boyle-Carr for the Adelaide Crows, and Mulholland for the Fremantle Dockers, are both in contention for the play-offs ahead of this weekend’s final round of the regular season.
