Just a year after joining the club, Barry O'Connor has been bumped up to the Sydney Swans senior squad.
The Swans made the decision to promote O'Connor, along with Sam Wicks, after both Isaac Heeney and Sam Naismith suffered long-term injuries.
Wexford man O'Connor signed for Sydney in June 2019 having impressed the previous November during the AFL Europe Combine. He was subsequently invited on a two-week trial by Sydney.
The St Martin's clubman - who has trained as a key defender with Sydney - is the son of 1996 Wexford All-Ireland winning hurler George O'Connor.
So does this mean @boconnor6 really won’t be back for the football championship? 😩 https://t.co/J6x1dJcexw
— St Martin's GAA Club (@StMartinsGAA) July 27, 2020
Swans Executive GM of Football Charlie Gardiner said it is an opportunity for O'Connor to make his case for senior selection.
"Barry joined the club from Ireland last year and has impressed with the way he has adapted to the game," Gardiner told the Sydney Swans club website.
"It’s been a whirlwind first year for Barry, arriving to the bushfires and then having the season postponed. But through all of that he’s shown great resilience and has worked hard on his skills and the technical aspects of the game."
O'Connor joins Tipperary man Colin O'Riordan in the Swans senior squad. The club are currently 14th on the AFL ladder.
Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
