Kerry's Mark O'Connor qualifies for AFL Grand Final with Geelong

GRAND FINAL: Mark O'Connor of the Geelong Cats during the AFL First Preliminary match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 16, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Pic: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Mark O’Connor has taken a big step to becoming only the second Kerryman to claim an AFL Premiership medal after his and Laois’ Zach Tuohy’s Geelong Cats earned a place in next weekend’s Grand Final.

In what is the club’s sixth final in 16 years, the Cats will face Collingwood or Sydney Swans after a comprehensive 120-49 victory over Brisbane Lions in the Melbourne Cricket Grounds on Friday.