Big blow for Kerry as Cillian Burke signs for AFL outfit Geelong

Cillian Burke of Kerry in action against Jason Duffy of Armagh during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Kerry starlet Cillian Burke has joined fellow countyman Mark O’Connor at Geelong Cats.

The Milltown-Castlemaine club player has been announced as the AFL club’s latest Irish signing following Dingle’s O’Connor and former Mayo star Oisín Mullin. 

Laois’ Zac Tuohy retired after this season.

It’s a major, if expected blow for Jack O’Connor after Burke, in his debut season, impressed coming off the bench against Derry and Armagh in this year’s All-Ireland quarter and semi-final respectively.

Burke will fly to Australia next month where he will become the seventh Irish player at the club. Mullin and O’Connor are already at the club. There are four Irishwomen on their AFLW list: Kate Kenny, Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Anna-Rose Kennedy.

Burke’s move comes a year after another Kerry prospect, Rob Monahan, joined Carlton.

He has inked a Category B rookie deal with The Cats who announced his arrival on their website on Thursday.

“Recruited out of Kerry, the same Gaelic club as fellow Irishman and Cats midfielder Mark O’Connor, Burke has impressed back home with his athleticism, speed and ball skills,” read the announcement.

“Viewed by many as one of the Gaelic Athletic Association’s most promising and a highly touted youngsters, at 21 years of age, Burke will arrive in Australia in late November and join the Cats for the beginning of the 2025 pre-season.” 

Geelong general manager of football Andrew Mackie commented: “Cillian is a very athletic and a talented prospect, we are thrilled he has decided to join Geelong and can’t wait to welcome him to Australia next month.

“A very established GAA player, we understand Cillian has made a big life decision to move to Australia. We will support him and have a plan in place to make a smooth transition to the Cats and our football program.”

His signing means there are currently 12 Irish players signed for AFL clubs ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Other players have been linked to a move. Derry’s Eoin McEvoy and Dublin’s David Colbert recently travelled to Australia to take part in the AFL combine and test alongside Australian talent.

Fermanagh’s Ultan Kelm and Tyrone U20 All-Ireland winner Eoin McElholm also trained with Fremantle last July. It was McElholm’s second trip, having been part of the group that participated in the 2023 combine as well.