Kerry's Mark O'Connor helped Geelong Cats prevail against Collingwood Magpies in the Friday night game at the MCG.
In front of a jam-packed arena with 78,017 spectators, O'Connor's goal helped his side to a 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) victory.
The former All-Ireland Minor winner was playing in just his eighth game for Geelong. Fellow Irish team-mate Zach Tuohy was unavailable due to injury while fellow Kerryman Stefan Okunbor is playing VFL in his debut season.
O'Connor kicks the goal - the first of his career! ?#AFLCatsDees pic.twitter.com/qL51jelPeg
— AFL (@AFL) March 30, 2019
O'Connor last year returned to play for his club, Dingle, in the Kerry club county championship. It looks set to be the last time for the foreseeable future as Geelong declared they cannot permit him to do so again as ‘it’s a breach to his contract.’
Collingwood had an 11-point half-time lead but lost out in a thrilling finale. They too have Irish involvement, having recently signed rookies in the form of Cork’s Mark Keane and Derry’s Anton Tohill.
