Dingle get Aussie boost ahead of club All-Ireland final

January 16, 2026

Dingle star Mark O’Connor will have some serious backup from Down Under for Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club football final against St Brigid’s at Croke Park.

Three of his Geelong Cats teammates are flying in from Australia to show their support, turning the clash into a mini AFL reunion in Dublin.

They’ll be hoping to see their Aussie Rules team-mate add to the Kerry and Munster championships Dingle won this year with a first-ever All-Ireland title.

Leading the charge is Patrick Dangerfield, one of the AFL’s biggest names, who famously toured Ireland in 2010 for the International Rules series, helping Australia to victory over two tests at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds and Croke Park. Dangerfield is joined by fellow Cats Mark Blicavs and Jack Henry, underscoring the respect O’Connor commands among his peers.

The trip is notable given that AFL clubs are already deep into pre-season training ahead of an early March start. The commitment highlights the strong bond between the players—O’Connor and Henry have even shared a house in Geelong in recent years.

With Dangerfield, Blicavs, and Henry in the stands, Dingle will feel the support of friends and elite athletes from the other side of the world, adding extra excitement to a final already brimming with anticipation.

Mark O’Connor has established himself as one of Geelong’s best Irish imports

O’Connor has been a fixture in the AFL since 2016 and has remained loyal to Geelong throughout his professional career, establishing himself as one of the Cats’ most trusted Irish imports and has become a fan-favourite.

During that time, he has played on the biggest stage, contesting two AFL Grand Finals. Geelong reached the summit in 2022, with fellow Kerryman Zac Tuohy also lining out, but suffered heartbreak last September when they were beaten by Brisbane Lions, a side that included Mayo’s Oisín Mullin.

Earlier this month, O’Connor was granted permission to extend his stay with Dingle after their dramatic semi-final victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s. The decision cleared the way for him to chase All-Ireland glory at Croke Park this Sunday before returning to Australia for the AFL season.

The Cats’ Irish connection continues to grow and remains one of the strongest in the AFL. Along with O’Connor, Tuohy and Mullin, Geelong added another Kerry footballer to their ranks in 2024 when Cillian Burke signed on, further underlining the club’s appetite for Gaelic talent.

That influence is mirrored in the women’s game, where Geelong boast an impressive Irish quartet in the AFLW. Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Kate Kenny are all established figures with the Cats, while Emma Murray has already committed to the club for the 2026 season.

Geelong captain calls chance to back Dingle & team-mate in All-Ireland final a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience

Geelong captain Dangerfield described the trip as a rare and special occasion as he spoke to 7NEWS Melbourne before departing Australia.

Dangerfield said the chance to watch a teammate line out for his home club in an All-Ireland final was something that doesn’t come around often, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for the group.

“We’ve changed our training around it, to be honest. We really see the value in supporting Mark and watching it, whether it’s live for us or at the club,” the 35-year-old told the television station.

You can watch the interview here:

A trio of premiership Cats is jetting off to the other side of the globe to watch a teammate chase a lifelong dream. It’s reignited calls for the return of the International Rules Series. @cleary_mitch @7AFL pic.twitter.com/WYmEaLbGb4

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) January 16, 2026