Tyrone footballer Conor McKenna is set to make a surprise return to the AFL.
The 26-year-old called time on his Aussie rules career in September 2020 while he was playing with Essendon. He returned to Ireland, and won an All-Ireland title with Tyrone in 2021.
Conor McKenna looks set for a shock return to the AFL. Has informed the Tyrone setup over the weekend of his intention to go back to Australia, having returned to Ireland in late 2020 and helped Tyrone win the All-Ireland in '21. Big blow for Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan.
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) August 28, 2022
Cahair O'Kane of the Irish News reported on Sunday night that McKenna has told his Tyrone teammates that he intends to return to Australia.
According to reports Down Under, several clubs are interested in signing him, including the Geelong Cats where both Laoisman Zach Tuohy and Kerryman Mark O'Connor play. Brisbane and Port Adelaide have also been linked.
The Eglish forward played 79 games for Essendon after being recruited by the club in 2014.
Conor McKenna is considering returning to the AFL.
A number of clubs are interested.
There is no rush on a decision. With the supplemental selection period (SSP), he doesn’t have to decide until late November.— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) August 28, 2022
McKenna said two years ago that homesickness had played a major part in his decision to retire from Aussie rules.
"I was just sort of always feeling down," he said.
"I always wanted to come home. I always had that mindset that I was out there for a part-time basis. It was never going to be long term.
"If you said to me at the start, six years, I would have laughed at you but I just this year it wasn’t for me. I’m probably at the stage where money wasn’t enough and playing professional sport wasn’t enough for me any more. I missed playing for my club and county."
Geelong among clubs linked to former Bomber Conor McKenna, who looks headed back to the AFL after returning to Ireland in 2020. McKenna set to quit his Gaelic club Tyrone. @AFLcomau
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) August 28, 2022
See Also: Tipperary's Colin O'Riordan Forced To Retire From AFL
