Monaghan’s Karl Gallagher signs for AFL outfit Adelaide

AFL: Monaghan’s Karl Gallagher has become the latest member of the Irish in the AFL after signing a contract with Adelaide Crows. Gallagher impressed during a recent trial with the club and joins as a Category B rookie on a two-year deal.Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Monaghan’s Karl Gallagher has become the latest member of the Irish in the AFL after signing a contract with Adelaide Crows. Gallagher impressed during a recent trial with the club and joins as a Category B rookie on a two-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who played in every championship fixture under Vinny Corey this year, flew out for a trial last month. He will become the first Monaghan man to make the move.

“Karl has been able to showcase all the qualities we knew he had such as speed, power, athleticism and smarts,” said Adelaide GM List Management and Strategy Justin Reid.

“He’s worked really hard since arriving and earnt the respect of his coaches and teammates at training.

“Importantly Karl has a really strong desire to learn and work on his craft which will hold him in good stead. We are looking forward to his development with a full pre-season under his belt.” 

Cork star Mark Keane is already on the list at the South Australia side while they previously invited Tyrone’s Cathal McShane out for a trial in 2020. He declined and went on to win an All-Ireland title in 2021.

Gallagher first attracted attention as a 17-year-old at an AFL Combine testing day in 2019. He is the latest of several new signings in recent months. In August, it was confirmed Longford’s Matt Duffy and Kerry’s Rob Monahan were joining Carlton as international rookies. Duffy subsequently suffered an ACL injury playing for Dromard in the Longford SFC championship and will remain in Ireland initially.

Ballincollig and Cork U20 footballer Liam O'Connell also signed a contract with St Kilda. There are currently 13 Irish players signed with AFL clubs for the upcoming season which gets underway on March 7.

Irish in the AFL for 2024: Zach Tuohy (Geelong), Oisin Mullin (Geelong), Mark O’Connor (Geelong), Conor Nash (Hawthorn), Rob Monahan (Carlton), Matt Duffy (Carlton), Liam O’Connell (St Kilda), Darragh Joyce (Brisbane Lions), James Madden (Brisbane Lions), Conor McKenna (Brisbane Lions), Callum Brown (GWS Giants), Mark Keane (Adelaide Crows) Karl Gallagher (Adelaide Crows).