Kerryman Mark O'Connor keen to extend time Down Under

Mark O'Connor in action for Geelong against Western Bulldogs. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Mark O'Connor wants to continue his Aussie rules career with the Geelong Cats. 

The Kerryman, who was recruited by the club in 2016, is out of contract at the end of the season and would be an unrestricted free agent if he does not sign a new deal. 

“Of course I’m keen to stay with the Cats, I love it here," the 27-year-old from Dingle told The Daily Telegraph.

"I would be keen to get it done sooner rather than later but that is obviously up to the Cats and I’ll leave my manager to do that type of thing."

O'Connor, a two-time minor All-Ireland winner with Kerry, made his Geelong debut in 2017 and has since reached 111 appearances in the AFL. 

Last week, it was announced that Mayo's Oisín Mullin had signed an extension to his deal with Geelong which will keep him Down Under until at least the end of 2025. O'Connor said that Mullin "thoroughly deserves the contract and he has been going really well". 

IRISH INFLUENCE: Geelong's Mark O'Connor, Oisin Mullin and Zach Tuohy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Laoisman Zach Tuohy is also on the books at Geelong, as are AFLW players Aishling Moloney, Anna Rose Kennedy, Rachel Kearns and Kate Kenny. In 2022, O'Connor and Tuohy became the second and third Irishmen to win Premiership titles.

“It is really picking up again," O'Connor said about the number of Irish players in Aussie rules.

"We caught up with a couple of Irish lads who are on Adelaide’s list now and it was good to chat to them and see how they’re going. A few years ago we had a heap of players in Melbourne who would catch up every now and then.

“It doesn’t feel like there is as many as there was in the past. Even the AFLW it is growing massively and there is more women coming out every year. It is really growing again and it is good to see.

“The Irish tend to enjoy Geelong because it has that big country town feel when compared to the hustle and bustle of the big city in Melbourne. It does fill us with pride, we are almost Ireland’s team at home just because we have so many players now and a good history with Irish prospects.”