James Horan on ‘phenomenon’ Oisín Mullin: 'His physical capacity and room to grow even further were obvious’

Oisin Mullin of the Cats trains during a Geelong Cats Training Session at GMHBA Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Oisín Mullin’s remarkable success in Australia is no surprise, according to his former Mayo manager James Horan.

Mullin will take part in the AFL Grand Final this Saturday alongside Mark O’Connor as Geelong take on reigning champions Brisbane.

For Horan, the measure of what Mullin could achieve became clear in his first training session with the squad. In 2019, he was called into the senior panel after the U20s were beaten in the Connacht final.

The Kilmaine defender went on to win back-to-back Young Footballer of the Year awards before leaving for the AFL.

“Oisin Mullin is just a phenomenon,” said Horan, speaking on the Irish Examiner’s Gaelic football podcast.

“He is a brilliant fella. Bubbly, high-energy, very mannerly, well-grounded young guy. A source of positive energy around the place.

“He spoke previously about his first training session with us, he wasn’t in the best physical shape for that session. He’d partied the night before but I remember the first drill. The session was in a different pitch, nice Sunday evening, fellas just want to get through it. We went into boxes and he was in a box with Chris Barrett, who you wouldn’t let any normal person in with. A couple like that to set a tone. Within 20 seconds, oh Jesus, this 19-year-old came in and sorted it out with a smile on his face. That type of fella.” 

Mullin is expected to play a crucial ‘tagging’ role, having marked All-Australian Hugh McCluggage in the qualifying final and kept him to 14 disposals, his lowest tally since 2023.

“I remember his first, a league game against Monaghan," said Horan.

"Conor McManus was still doing pretty well so we just put Oisin straight onto him. We knew that would be sorted. He is just a phenomenal athlete for a start. His power, his speed take-off, the doors shake when is at full tilt. A physical specimen and a brilliant team player. Happy to do whatever is asked or needed. He knows there are more skilful guys than him, all the attributes you want were there in abundance. His physical capacity and room to grow even further were very obvious.

“Soccer was his game originally. If he had stayed with that I’ve no doubt he would have been a high-level player as well. We are delighted for him and wish him all the best.”