Milltown-Castlemaine's Cillian Burke edging closer to AFL move

IN DEMAND: Kerry’s Cillian Burke 

Kerry starlet Cillian Burke is edging closer to a move to an Australian Rules club. Burke has been courted by a couple of AFL outfits including Geelong Cats where Mark O’Connor and Oisín Mullin are currently plying their trade.

It had been suggested the Milltown-Castlemaine man might follow Jack Barry’s example and spend 2025 travelling. However, the Cats are leading the charge to secure Burke’s signature and the player is giving careful consideration to switching sports.

Burke impressed coming off the bench in this year’s All-Ireland quarter and semi-final games against Derry and Armagh respectively. He made his senior debut this season in the Division 1 opening clash with Derry.

Burke won two U20 Munster titles with the Kingdom, lining out at wing-forward in 2022 before moving to midfield last year when he scored a goal in the provincial final win over Cork.

Prior to that, he won a Munster minor in 2020 when he provided two points in the decider against Clare. After sickness, he scored another brace in the All-Ireland final defeat to Derry.

Meanwhile, Mickey Graham has stepped down as Leitrim football manager just two months after being recommended for the role.

Graham was named as successor to Andy Moran in early August on what was intended to be a three-year term. The former Cavan manager had served as a selector under Moran in 2024.

"Leitrim GAA Management Committee at its meeting this evening was informed of the decision by Mickey Graham not to continue in the role of Leitrim Senior Football Manager for 2025," Letirim GAA said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening.

"Mickey was fully committed and looking forward to his role ahead but circumstances beyond his control have led to him making this decision and regrettably, for all concerned, he will not be continuing in his appointed position. Leitrim GAA will now recommence the process of appointing a new manager."

Graham had spent five seasons in charge of Cavan, leading them to the Ulster title in 2020. His appointment was viewed as a positive one for Leitrim, especially as it had been ratified quickly after Moran stepped down. Leitrim were ahead of the pack hunting for a new manager, now they are behind. They join Clare, Derry, and Westmeath in the search for a new football boss.

Leitrim will play in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League in 2025 after earning promotion this year.