AFL attempt never 'a failed experiment' for GAA starlets, insists Conor Nash

The one-time Simonstown Gaels man will be going into his ninth season with Hawthorn in 2026.

Sam Mitchell, Senior Coach of the Hawks, and Conor Nash. Pic: Steve Bell/Getty Images

No player returning to Gaelic football from Australian Rules should be considered to have failed, according to a current Irish AFL star.

Former Simonstown Gaels player Conor Nash, who will be going into his ninth season with Hawthorn in 2026, said the examples of Derry captain Conor Glass and Westmeath’s Ray Connellan have demonstrated players can come back better from their experiences in Down Under.

“Anybody who goes, it’s never, ever a failed experiment,” the former Leinster Rugby U18 told “The Athlete’s Advantage” podcast. “You’re only going to find out more about yourself as an athlete or as an individual. In fairness to the rugby lads, when I was making that decision, they were ‘that’s the way we see it as well. All the best to ya. Sad to see you go but hope it goes well, we really do.’ You can only be a better person for it.” Nash was delighted to see the positivity around Mark O’Connor’s return to line out for Dingle in winning their first senior county championship football title in 77 years. “I’m glad Mark’s story got some coverage there over the AFL stream because that was a 77-wait that this small, community club has been waiting to win this Kerry championship.

“For him to be able to be back there and be part of it, you could see the emotion on his face, it was huge. It just shows you how different the dynamic is at home but what a special thing it is. I think that got great reach.” 

The 27-year-old has noticed the coverage around the AFL “robbing our best players” in the Irish media but insisted it remains “a very small percentage”.

Nash revealed AFL recruiters are frustrated by the lack of statistics provided in match reports. “They only report who scores. So it’s the team name, team list and just who scores. Where are the rest of stats or where are the best, the five best players, most of them haven’t scored but they are the best player on the day. They found this hard when recruiting.” 

Nash said the amount of training done by leading Gaelic footballers exceeds that done by Aussie Rules players in the second tier Victorian Football League, who are getting paid.

“They train so hard at home. Some of the stuff you hear about. Even the commitment and time, I’d admire anyone who does it at home.”