Breaking: Major boost for Dingle with Mark O'Connor set to be available for All-Ireland semi-final

O'Connor had returned to Australia for pre-season training with his club Geelong

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025 - 16:56

Murt Murphy

Mark O'Connor is set to line out for Dingle in their All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final against Ballyboden St Enda's on January 3.

It was feared that O’Connor’s return to Australia after his club's dramatic Munster final win over St Finbarr’s would deprive the Kerry champions of his services for the last-four game. The talismanic midfielder had returned to pre-season training with his AFL club Geelong with the season Down Under due to commence in early March.

However, just weeks after flying back to Australia, O’Connor appears to have received permission from Geelong to play in the semi-final, just like he did for the Kerry and Munster campaigns.

O'Connor is set to return home on Christmas Eve. It’s the Christmas present that all in Dingle wanted as the minor All-Ireland winner has given some sterling performances for his boyhood club in both the Kerry SFC and the Munster SFC.

Manager Pádraig Corcoran had indicated after the Munster final win that he expected the talented 28-year-old to be back in Australia by the time the All-Ireland semi-finals came around.

“It is extremely difficult on Mark because he is contracted to play with Geelong and they are all back for pre-season, and I am not so sure how that would work out in terms of getting him back to Ireland,” said Corcoran at the time.

It is believed Geelong based the decision on the service O'Connor has given the AFL club and the leadership he has shown to the Cats.

Dingle, understandably, are keeping a low profile and did not comment when contacted, but it would be a major surprise if O’Connor does not line out against the Dublin and Leinster champions.