Conor McKenna is set to throw in his lot with the Brisbane Lions as he prepares to reboot his AFL career.
The Tyrone All-Ireland winner has courted the interest of a number of clubs but has plumped for the Lions, who can sign him in the supplemental selection period in the off season which doesn’t impact on their draft pick.
McKenna, who can operate in defence or attack in Australian rules, previously played for Essendon, making 79 appearances between 2015 and ‘20, though homesickness proved to be an ongoing issue for him and he eventually returned home two years ago.
READ MORE: Lee Gannon focused on football only after breakthrough season with Dublin
He made an immediate impact in the latter stages of the rearranged League season that year, winning a player of the month award for October 2020, though Tyrone made a swift exit from the knockout Championship that year, losing to Donegal.
Although they swept to an unexpected All-Ireland title last year and McKenna hit two goals in the semi-final win over Kerry, his form didn’t hold up over the past couple of campaigns and the 26-year-old became the latest defection from the county panel this year after a host of others pulled out ahead of the Championship.
The Eglish man didn’t rule out a return to the AFL when he came home two years ago and having already won an All-Ireland, perhaps ahead of schedule, it likely made the decision to go back to Australia more palatable.
By opting for Brisbane, he gives himself a realistic shot of a Premiership title with the Queensland outfit having fallen at the penultimate stage this year as they lost to eventual champions Geelong in the preliminary semi-final, albeit a convincing 120-49 defeat.
But they have recruited well in the off-season so far with McKenna being joined at the club by Josh Dunkley and Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston from the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn respectively, while hot prospect and No 1 draft Will Ashcroft is tipped to join the Lions also.
READ NEXT:
Better late than never, but FAI should have called out Qatar abuses long ago
Daniel Kinahan 'taking refuge in Qatar' days before World Cup kicks off
Pete Taylor pictured with both legs in casts - after chasing 'thief' in Barcelona
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
