CONOR MCKENNA COULD feature in his second consecutive Australian Rules Grand Final, after his Brisbane Lions team defeated Geelong Cats 95-85.
However, the long and distinguished career of Zach Tuohy, the record-holder of AFL appearances for any Irish player, has come to an end after he was left off the team.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said it was the most difficult decision he has ever made in the AFL.
“It was one of the harder calls that I think we’ve had to make in a long, long time,” Scott said on Friday.
“I’m not even sure it’s the right call. But it’s a call we made.”
Tuohy has expressed his deep wish to play some role for Portlaoise in Gaelic football and they are set for a county semi-final on Sunday week against O’Dempseys.
In front of a crowd of over 96,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, this was the biggest game ever played between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats, and it looked to be heading one way at half time as Geelong led by 19 points.
However Lions, who hadn’t beaten the Cats in Victoria in over 30 years producing a stirring comeback, with Conor McKenna coming off the bench and making his impact,. setting up Logan Morris for a critical goal to go two up in the closing stages.
A 6”5 hooker and a 5”8 centre? I blame 5G.
@Hirrison Mirk: Bill Gates about to revolutionise rugby. Dont try to stop him gemma
Again it’s great to see the younger guys get a run to give us a vision of Leinsters future. A 10,12,13 combo of 21/22 year olds is exciting.
Overall this is a very good team considering. Great to see two OBriens in the back three again along with DK. Love the look of the back row. Looking forward to this game now.
@Ro Molloy: it’s fantastic to see these lads get a run.
What Leo says about the pecking order is so true. 18 months ago will Connors was not even on thr radar and now he’s starting a 6 nations game on merit.
All this clammer to get young leinster players to move to get game time is bull.
Leo gives those good enough plenty of chances and if they step up he keeps them there.
@Chris Mc:
It’s not bull, at all and it will continue to happen as no province can keep players warming benches or not even getting into the squad.
Some will be happy, I know, to play second or third fiddle but the ones with real desire to start every week, will move on, so they can show just how good they are.
Back row in Leinster case and centre and wing for Ulster is where the depth is.
The time will come when injury and international weeks is not enough to satisfy some
@Mark Smith: what like Jordi Murphy, nick mccarthy, Jack mcgrath, wheres the example of a player moving province and bettering himself especially in terms of the irish squad.
@Chris Mc: Andrew Conway
@Stephen Duffy: Conway would have been first choice at leinster and would now have 4 HC winner medals and well as an extra 40 caps at this stage. His undoubted talent was reduced to chasing box kicks and creating his own magic for the past 9 years. If Conway had stayed at leinster he would have been a superstar.
Zebre 2nd row – Nagle and Kearney!
This guy Dan Sheehan is not only a future irish captain, but a future Lions captain! Dont tell anyone but you heard it first from me!
@Kevin O’brien: calm down a little there kevin.
Christ Jesus an Irish #2 with a decent throw, he sounds like the full package, physicality & accuracy. Genuinely excited, but let’s not pressure him to death with expectation.
Agree with Mark about interpro player movement, win win for player, country & province – that’s providing players get adequate gametime at their new province & they want to move.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: a leinster hooker who can throw a lineout ball is area 51 stuff.
He must have learned to throw off YouTube, he didn’t learn at leinster. If I was drowning and a leinster hooker came along with a life bhoy, I wouldn’t get my hopes up, chances are he’d miss the water.