Tyrone hope McKenna resists AFL lure

Tyrone minor manager Mickey Donnelly has given his blessing to star player Conor McKenna’s dream of a professional career in Aussie Rules football — but he still hopes the exciting teenager can be persuaded to commit to the Red Hands.

McKenna has attracted interest from as many as half a dozen AFL clubs, and following outstanding displays during a training camp in London last week, has had talks with representatives from Essendon, West Coast Eagles, Western Bulldogs, Geelong and Collingwood.

“If he goes to Australia, we’ll be very disappointed to lose him, but he’ll go with our blessing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give a lad to play professional sport, and obviously we can’t provide that for him,” said Donnelly.