Oisin Mullin's AFL debut came on Saturday morning, with the former Mayo Gaelic footballer lining out in the colours of the Geelong Cats for the first time.
Mullin had originally signed for the Cats back in 2021, but ultimately decided to stay in Ireland for another year, and played for Mayo in last year's All-Ireland senior football championship.
Having finally made the move down under for the 2023 season, Mullin was given his debut with the Cats on Saturday, as they took on the GWS Giants in the 11th game of their season.
Earlier in the week, the Cats' social media team shared video of Mullin breaking the news of his impending debut to his family in Mayo.
He lined up at half-back, in a team which also included Laois' Zach Tuohy and Kerry's Mark O'Connor - Derry's Callum Brown lined out for the Giants. It was the first time in AFL history that three Irish players lined out on the same team.
The Lads 🇮🇪 The first time 3 Irish players play for the same team in the same game before! #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/unJRVBwgai
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) May 27, 2023
The Geelong Cats also shared a wholesome video of Oisin Mullin being presented with his first matchday jersey by Laois legend Tuohy, with Mullin's family Zooming in from back home.
Ireland is 17,199km away but it sure feels close today 💙 🇮🇪 #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/WuUKlFBj5R
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) May 27, 2023
Mullin, a two-time GAA young footballer of the year, was one of the few positives for Cats fans after their ultimate defeat, and their supporters took to social media to praise the performance of their new signing.
READ HERE: Mayo's Oisin Mullin Has Already Got 'A Few Nicknames' At AFL Club
Oisin Mullin catches eye of AFL fans on Geelong Cats debut
Defending AFL champions Geelong Cats ultimately went down 12.9 (81) to 10.14 (74) on Saturday on home turf.
It was a disappointing result at the GMHBA Stadium, but there was one positive for their fans - the excellent performance of half-back Oisin Mullin on his AFL debut.
Eventful debut for Oisin Mullin so far. Hit with a heavy tackle and was in on goal but it skewed wide. Spun around and started laughing, taking it all well. 10 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle.
The first time three Irish players line out in the same team. pic.twitter.com/X9KeBkbzCh— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) May 27, 2023
Despite the disappointing result and performance from the Cats, several fans of the team and Aussie Rules pundits took to Twitter to praise Mayo's Mullin on his first appearance for the team, with more than one singling him out as one of the biggest positives from Saturday's game.
Rate this Oisin Mullin kid. Four games of Aussie rules in his life and he’s a jet #AFLCatsGiants
— Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) May 27, 2023
On the plus side, Oisin Mullin definitely looks like he has the goods! #AFLCatsGiants
— Trevor Young (@trevoryoung) May 27, 2023
Geelong have something special in Oisin Mullin, and every fan here at Kardinia Park knows it#AFLCatsGiants pic.twitter.com/XXqtkHYowN
— ArjsEye (@ArjsEye) May 27, 2023
Whenever Oisin Mullin's not on screen,
all the commentators should be asking, "Where's Mullin?"— Tobie (@tobie_chapman) May 27, 2023
Definitely looking forward to more of Oisin Mullin in the future!#AFLCatsGiants
— Jake Barker (@JakeBarker3) May 27, 2023
Mullin's a tick for me.
— Leigh Wintershoven (@winty1976) May 27, 2023
✅Oisin Mullin’s debut
✅Bruhn’s 4th quarter
✅Stewart
❌Allowing GWS to have time and space
❌No one manning up and hunting for the ball
❌Accuracy at goal AGAIN!!!
❌Greene having a field day
❌Starting SDK up forward - big mistake!— Kyri Tsavaridis (@KTsavaridis) May 27, 2023
Judging by the response to his AFL debut, there's an exciting future ahead down under for 23-year-old Oisin Mullin.
The defeat to the GWS Giants leaves the Cats in eighth in table, with a 5-6-0 record.
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