Mark Keane: ‘There was a training session in Castlelyons. I didn’t show up. My head was scrambled’

CODE-BREAKER: Mark Keane of the Crows in action. Pic: Russell Freeman, Getty Images
Mark Keane became used to his world being turned upside down. Annually. Dramatically. He has five steady years of it ever since he first boarded a plane and set off to Melbourne for an AFL trial.
In the winter of 2018, the Mitchelstown man joined Collingwood. Covid came and he returned to deliver a famous Cork-Kerry goal two years later. His heart was split between profession and passion. In 2022, he departed the club despite having one year left on his contract.
He went home. He hurled with Ballygiblin. Kieran Kingston and Diarmuid O’Sullivan came calling. He joined the senior squad. Twelve months later, it emerged he was headed back.
“It started the week before I played in the (2023) All-Ireland club final,” he recalls. “The week leading into it, I had a few emails over and back. I was still training with Cork at the time and played Munster Senior League against Kerry. Then I was due to play at centre-back in the Munster league final against Tipperary on the Saturday. I was down in the programme to start, but I ended up flying to Australia on the Monday. It all happened very quickly. I would say in the space of a week to ten days it all came about.
“There was a training session in Castlelyons one of the nights. I didn’t show up to it. I just didn’t have a clue what I was doing. My head was scrambled. I didn’t know if I was staying to play for Cork or returning to Australia. I just didn’t turn up. They rang me after to ask where I was, but I didn’t answer the phone. My head was just all over the place. I had Australia ringing me about making a decision with the deadline coming up, eventually I rang Pat (Ryan) the next day. I told him about the opportunity.
“He was very understanding. We’d built up a great relationship. I still talk to him today. We talk a fair bit throughout the year now.”
Keane played five games for Collingwood in total. When Adelaide unexpectedly lost tall Fischer McAsey, a former top 10 draft pick who retired citing a loss of passion for the sport, they had to scramble to find a replacement. The Irish defender who can operate in the same position was on a list of potential solutions. It meant that as soon as they called, the needed an answer.

So, he left. But his feelings for blood red never diminished. Tommy O’Connell, Shane Kingston, Rob Downey and Seán Twomey are regularly in touch. While there isn’t a sizeable Irish community in South Australia, Adelaide take on Essendon this Friday. Keane will remain in Melbourne for the weekend and watch the final with friends in the early hours of Monday morning.
“Sometimes I feel like I am still there. I’ve been chatting to all of the lads leading up to the games and they tell me how training is going, all of that. It is very weird not being there for it. I suppose I came out here for a reason and I’m enjoying it.”
A new club, evolution, fresh starts: if Keane’s development offers any kind of sporting lesson it is the importance of the world around the pitch. The 24-year-old is comfortable in Australia now. Content.
His first stint was riddled with homesickness. This time his partner, Caoimhe, made the move with him. Last December was the first Christmas he has spent Down Under.
The calendar is a big help too. By the end of August, the AFL regular season will have come to a close.
That paves the way for Keane to get home, play Gaelic football and hurling, fill the cup.
He featured five times during the 2023 campaign. Suddenly, he became a star. A two-year contract extension was tabled, he has played every single game so far this season. Australian media routinely report on interest in Keane from elsewhere, including his former club. Head coach Matthew Nicks lauded his contributions and how “he is improving out of sight”.
He went on to publicly promise, “he will be rewarded for his performances in time.”
Heading into Round 19, Keane is ranked eighth for intercept possessions in the entire league. All of the promise and potential that first attracted Australian interest is coming to fruition.
“I wanted to come back out. I wanted to play senior footy, I knew I had what to take. I played five games in Collingwood but that wasn’t enough. I wasn’t a success. I wanted to get into a senior squad, keep my position and be a leader in the footy club.
“I was obviously much different compared to when I first left. I’d matured a bit. Also, winning the All Ireland with my club, I know it sounds like a small thing, but the experience of winning really helped as well. I felt like that stood to me. It was a real confidence boost. I came here and felt like I could have played in the first round straight away.”
He stops. He considers the range of factors rattling around his mind. Succeeding in professional sport is not simple. There are several ingredients required in this triumphant recipe.
“The split season wasn’t there, the fact I can play club now gives me huge happiness. But I’ve also gotten older and more mature. I got a taste of home for 18 months too. I know how hard it is to earn money.”
That confidence has manifested in his play. Twice in recent weeks, he has executed an audacious handpass to himself, over the head of a charging opponent. The realm he returned to is different too.
The Cork man was at the centre of a controversial tackle in a pre-season fixture. Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper was handed a four-match suspension after his shoulder hit Keane high.
It comes amidst a heightened focus on concussion rates in the AFL.
That was the first time in his sporting career that he was on the receiving end of one. Keane has fallen foul of the welfare punishments too: “I’ve been fined $12,000 dollars so far this year,” he says with a grimace. “It is definitely changed rules, they are more cautious about it to protect the players.”
By the time he headed home during the last offseason, it was too late to hurl with Ballygiblin again.
He did play Gaelic football and cherished it. Adelaide are out of contention for a finals spot meaning he will get home in the next six weeks. It has already been agreed that he can play club championship.
Cork will always be there. That dream never dies. Does he plan to play for them again? Do you even need to ask?
“100%. I’m not sure if it will be hurling or football, I suppose I might be out of the game too long for hurling, so I’ll probably look at football whenever that will be. But I am definitely hoping to put on the red jersey again.”