Essendon coach John Worsfold said he is disappointed that Conor McKenna lined out for his club Eglish at the weekend.
The 23-year-old Tyrone native has become an important player for the AFL club since moving to Australia five years ago.
With Aussie rules in its off-season, McKenna returned home and played for Eglish on Saturday against Edendork.
"We certainly didn't send him back there to play football," Worsfold told SEN Radio.
"I was really disappointed when I heard that. We know he's passionate about his Gaelic footy. He's an energetic young man, his personality is so up and about.
"It puts them (Irish AFL players who play GAA) at risk of an injury, of doing something that's outside their contract. In effect, it puts them at high risk of costing themselves a contract or a lot of money."
#TyroneGAA #TyroneACL Division 1 Playoff
19mins 2nd half
Eglish: 2-7(13)
Edendork: 1-10(13)
Eglish goal from play Conor McKenna— Eglish GAC (@EglishGAC) November 9, 2019
Last year, minor All-Ireland winner Mark O'Connor, who now plays for Geelong, lined out for Dingle in their Kerry SFC quarter-final against Austin Stacks. He was subsequently told by Geelong he would be in breach of his contract if he was to play another game for Dingle.
"I've reflected on it," Worsfold continued regarding McKenna.
"I won't speak to Conor until he gets back, and I will be disappointed that he played, and at least didn't feel like he could have rung and just checked.
"Out of everything you can do as a footballer in the off-season, going and playing non-contact football would be the best.
"It's better than going snow skiing or playing basketball or playing rugby, something you don't do day in and day out."
Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
