Darragh Joyce will roar again with Lions but Cats still an option

The new AFL season starts this weekend with Kilkenny's Darragh Joyce signed up for another season with Brisbane Lions

Darragh Joyce of the Lions marks the ball during a Brisbane Lions AFL training session at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pic: Darrian Traynor,Getty Images)

Kilkenny great Kieran Joyce says younger brother Darragh, an AFL winner with Brisbane Lions in 2024, has been assured that he'll be considered for Cats duty if he returns to Ireland.

But Kieran, a four-time All-Ireland SHC winner with Kilkenny, said the reality is that if Darragh, 28 in April, signs another AFL contract after this season then his hurling hopes will effectively be over.