The 2024 AFL season was particularly mixed for the Irish contingent.
Yes, Connor McKenna became only the second ever player to win both the Sam Maguire and Premiership Cup but there were very few stand out performances from the Irish players throughout the entire season.
The 2024 season saw 9 Irishmen play an accumulated 149 games which was a slight improvement on the 147 games played by 10 Irishmen in the previous season. However injuries, suspensions and loss of form meant that only 3 players were consistent starters for their team; Hawthorn & Meathman Conor Nash, Adelaide Crows & Corkman Mark Keane and the Irish Born but Aussie-raised Tyroneman Aidan Corr.
A Sensational Start to the Season
The year started so brightly for the Irish with GWS Giants & Derryman Callum Brown kicking 10 goals across his first 4 games including a 5 goal exhibition against the reigning premiers, Collingwood, in the first game of the season. This game saw him win his first brownlow medal votes, securing two votes for the game (with the umpires as usual opting for an on-ball midfielder for the max 3 votes).
Unfortunately Callum Brown’s season took a turn during the Sydney derby in Round 8 where, despite kicking 2 goals, he was involved in a nasty collision with Swans’ Tom McCartin and was deserving of the 3 game suspension. Brown would go on to only kick another 2 goals in the season having lost his place in the team.
The Standout Irish Players in the 2024 Season
Hawthorn’s Conor Nash was the only other Irish player to pick up Brownlow votes, with his 2 votes coming against North Melbourne in Round 6 where he accumulated 32 Disposals and landed 8 tackles in a strong win. Nash had another strong year with his versatility to play in the midfield, ruck and forward line saw him become an established player at this level.
Adelaide Crows’ Mark Keane was perhaps the best Irish player in the comp in 2024. Playing as a key defender his stat’s don’t tell the full story of how important he was for the Crows in his second season in South Australia. His composure in possession, ruthless competitiveness, spoils and intercept marks saw him draw attention from Collingwood in the offseason with the 2023 Premiers keen to see him return to Melbourne. However Keane has penned a 3 year extension with Adelaide where he will remain a key player in defence until 2028.
The forgotten Irishman, Aidan Corr, who was born in Tyrone before moving to Australia at a young age had another consistent season. Like other Key Defenders his stat’s don’t do justice to his importance to the perennial strugglers, North Melbourne. Corr played every game in the 2024 season often picking up the opposition's top forwards. He performed well and his spoils and intercept marking were key standouts.
Brisbane Triumph but Irishmen underperform
Although the Brisbane Lions won the flag in 2024 the Irish pair of Conor Mckenna and Darragh Joyce will be slightly disappointed with their performances. It was worse for Dublin’s James Madden who failed to make an appearance for the Lions in 2024 and has returned back to Ireland having only played 13 senior AFL games across 6 seasons proving just how difficult it is to make it as a professional athlete in a new game.
McKenna managed to rack up 18 appearances in an injury impacted season with 5 of those, including the Grand Final, coming on as a substitute while he was subbed off in 2 others. This was McKenna’s first season to end goalless since making his breakthrough in 2015. However will he really care given he is able to add a Premiership medal to the All-Ireland medal he has with Tyrone.
Although Darragh Joyce managed a career high 6 games in this season he seems resigned to remain a back-up key defender and unfortunately didn’t receive a premiership medal having failed to play in the Grand Final.
Geelong's Trio
Geelong's Irish trio of Zach Tuohy, Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin had a so-so season. Although they amassed a total of 43 games between them only Oisin Mullin played in their Preliminary Final loss to the Brisbane Lions.
Kerryman Mark O’Connor endured an injury impacted end to the season with his knee and wrist causing him issues. He was consistently in the team as a starter on sub until Round 16 but failed to recover to play any part in the crucial end to the season. He did manage 2 goals and a strong average of 3.1 tackles per game.
Laois’ Zach Tuohy’s final season at AFL unfortunately ended with a whimper. Despite a very respectable season of 18 games, 8 goals and an average of 15.6 disposals Tuohy failed to make the squad for the prelim final loss. Tuohy calls time on his career which saw him amass 288 games, surpassing Jim Stynes’ record, and probably becomes the 2nd best Irish player to play AFL behind the great Jim Stynes.
Mayo’s Oisin Mullin added another 12 games to his AFL resume this season and the year him end up in the best 22 for Geelong. His pace and tenacity were always a feature this year but remains suspect with ball in hand and positionally.
Overall the Irishmen in the league had a somewhat disappointing year but with an extra year of experience for the younger players the 2025 season should see some improvement. Kerry’s Cillian Burke will hope to make an AFL appearance in his first season for Geelong while there are still some talented Irish youngsters playing in the VFL and SANFL hoping to make an AFL appearance including Karl Gallagher, Rob Monahan and Liam O’Connell.
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