Conor McKenna is fast becoming not only one of the most exciting young Irish players in the AFL but one of the best young talents of all in Aussie rules.
The 21-year-old from Eglish in Tyrone joined Essendon nearly three years ago. He's played 22 games in that time, this season coming to real prominence.
After contributing to an easy win for Essendon against Port Adelaide on Saturday, McKenna got some high praise from veteran teammate Jobe Watson.
Watson told local Melbourne radio station 3AW:
He's got some real talent. Like all Irish guys, they kick the ball really well. They're not afraid to back themselves. He's a beautifully balances player.
He sees the game so for a guy that hasn't played a lot of footy. Not only can he run at such high speed, he has composure at that speed. That's a rare to find, a guy who can run at full pace but them find targets long or short.
While McKenna has gained many of the skills required to flourish in Aussie rules, there's one thing he certainly has not lost: his accent.
Watson said that despite being teammates for three seasons and actually living together for McKenna's first three months in Australia, he still can't understand him.
I still can't understand anything he says.
He actually lived with me for the first three months he arrived. All he wanted to eat was mayonnaise. I don't know what goes on in the Irish diet. Every meal [Irish accent] 'Have you got some mayonnaise? Have you got some mayonnaise?' That's all I know.
McKenna's accent went nationwide following Essendon's win at the weekend when he was interviewed on Channel Seven after the game.
As admitted on 3AW this week, the two interviewers had some issues understanding McKenna. Though, to be fair, they coped pretty well.
