2am watch party: Geelong Cats celebrate as Mark O'Connor...

January 19, 2026

Geelong Cats’ players stayed up all hours on Sunday watching their team-mate Mark O’Connor and Dingle become All-Ireland champions for the first time.

Their dedication to their team-mate was rewarded with one of the best club All-Ireland football finals in recent years and will be talked about for years to come.

Dingle were crowned All‑Ireland club champions after a pulsating 0‑23 to 1‑19 extra‑time win over St Brigid’s at Croke Park.

Dingle looked set for victory when Ruaidhrí Fallon kicked a brilliant two‑pointer in injury time to take it to extra time.

Mikey Geaney’s injury‑time point sealed the win. The match swung back and forth in a thrilling finale, with both sides pushing until the end, but Dingle’s late resilience brought them All‑Ireland glory to go with their Kerry and provincial title.

Dingle’s AFL superstar stepped up when it mattered most

O’Connor produced a calm, composed and influential performance for Dingle in the All-Ireland club final. Operating primarily in the midfield, he controlled the tempo, linking defence and attack while keeping his team organised under pressure.

He contributed a lovely two-pointer as seen below, helping keep Dingle in contention.

Mark O’Connor with a huge 2⃣ for @DingleGAA to level the game against @StBrigidsRos #gaa pic.twitter.com/mr3G28Fjny

— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 18, 2026

Beyond scoring, his work rate, vision, and leadership on the field were vital in absorbing St Brigid’s early momentum and guiding Dingle through tense phases, and he even pulled off a remarkable block at the end of normal time.

Mark O’Connor making huge game winning plays in Ireland 🔥pic.twitter.com/X3z5rGZg5h

— chris 🏉 (@BazDarty) January 18, 2026

O’Connor’s display combined skill, intelligence, and experience, a fitting reflection of his status as both a key player and a hometown hero.

Mark O’Connor is a fan-favourite with the Geelong Cats faithful

Since arriving at Geelong in 2017, O’Connor has earned immense respect for his dedication, professionalism, and selfless approach to the game.

Making the leap from Kerry’s Gaelic football scene to the AFL can be challenging, yet O’Connor embraced it fully, learning quickly, accepting tough defensive roles, and putting team success above personal glory. His consistency and work ethic have made him a trusted teammate and a quiet leader within the Cats’ ranks.

When O’Connor’s hometown club Dingle reached the All-Ireland club final, it mattered deeply to him and to Geelong.

Understanding the significance of GAA club football, where pride, community, and identity outweigh financial reward, Cats players went above and beyond.

As well as his team-mates staying up late, while others, including Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield, travelled to Ireland to watch the match in person, following every kick and score like it was their own final.

Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Henry and Mark Blicavs made the journey to Croke Park to watch Mark O’Connor & Dingle make history 🤩😸

📸 @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/vOxSDED27v

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) January 19, 2026

When Dingle clinched victory, celebrations were heartfelt and immediate, demonstrating perfectly Geelong’s culture of loyalty, empathy, and team-first values, with players supporting one of their own across continents for a historic, once-in-a-lifetime triumph.

Great video from @GeelongCats. Players got up at 2am to watch Mark O’Connor play. Here is their reaction to Mikey Geaney’s winner. pic.twitter.com/MOBDgh7U1Q

— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) January 19, 2026