Cillian Burke keen to follow in Mark O'Connor's Kerry footsteps at Geelong

Kerry footballer Burke, has landed in Australia following his move to AFL outfit Geelong Cats.

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024 - 11:16

Shane Donovan

He may be fresh off the plane, but former Kerry footballer Cillian Burke has already made his AFL intentions clear.

Success in a Geelong Cats jersey has been attained by someone Burke can strongly relate to - Dingle native, former Kerry underage star and AFL Grand Final winner, Mark O'Connor.

After breaking onto the inter-county scene in the Kingdom, Burke's move to the AFL, although expected, is a huge blow to Kerry boss Jack O'Connor, given how likely the Milltown/Castlemaine native was to feature even more prominently in green and gold in the years to come.

The 21-year-old, having proved himself as a starter throughout the 2024 National League, impressed coming off the bench against Derry and Armagh in this year’s All-Ireland quarter and semi-final respectively.

Speaking to the club media on his first day at The Cats, Burke - who has inked a Category B Rookie contract - noted he took inspiration from the Irish players who have made an impact at Geelong; now-retired Zach Tuohy, former Mayo footballer and current Cat Oisin Mullin. O'Connor's influence goes without saying.

Someone get this man a jar of @Vegemite pronto 🍞 Get to know our newest Cat, Cillian Burke! pic.twitter.com/9gPAE7MdVh
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) November 19, 2024

"There were probably other places they could have gone but seeing guys like Zach Tuohy and the other Irish players here, it makes everything a lot easier because you feel more comfortable," Burke said.

"Everything with Geelong so far has been super smooth, they are very accomodating of all Irish players. That is why there is so many here, it has been very good so far.

"When Mark O'Connor originally came over here, seeing him play in a Grand Final gave plenty of interest to people back home because he was a local.

"I met him and Oisin back at home when they were over there recently, seeing them play and especially Oisin cause he is closer in age, it shows a pathway to know you can follow them. He also got into the team this year which was exciting, it was a journey that I could follow really."

The professional aspect of the AFL, although "hard to get the head around", is something that Burke is eager to experience.

"The professionalism of the sport (AFL) stood out to me," added Burke.

"Back home it is obviously an amateur sport and everything, but seeing the professionalism and the facilities here it is hard to get our head around.

"The change and the personal nature of the sport, it is weird to see how much you can improve having that environment around you."

He becomes the seventh Irish player on The Cats' roster. Mullin and O’Connor are already at the club, while there are four Irish women on their AFLW list: Kate Kenny, Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Anna-Rose Kennedy.