Mark O’Connor full of gratitude for Dingle and Geelong after All-Ireland triumph

Mark O’Connor hailed Sunday’s All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship triumph over St Brigid’s as “one of the best days of my life,” after a remarkable homecoming that required rare flexibility from his AFL employers, Geelong.

The Kerry man delayed his return to Australia for pre-season training to line out in the final, which is an uncommon concession in the AFL world –and he was quick to acknowledge the Cats for making it possible. Their support went beyond paperwork too, with several Geelong team-mates making the long trip to Ireland to cheer him on from the stands.

O’Connor’s performance capped a whirlwind few weeks and underlined the unique bond he still feels with Gaelic football, despite his success on the other side of the world. The midfielder admitted the occasion, the atmosphere and the result combined to create a career-defining moment.

Looking ahead, O’Connor made no secret of his ambition to return to Croke Park again, this time in green and gold. While his AFL career remains the priority, the pull of Kerry and the dream of another day on the biggest stage clearly still burns bright.

Mark O’Connor – ‘This is probably one of the best days of my life’

Speaking to RTÉ Radio, O’Connor spoke of his gratitude to the Dingle suport saying: “It’s been a phenomenal journey. It has been a bit shaky with decision-making over the past couple of months, but I just can’t thank Geelong enough for giving me the freedom to do this.

“This is probably one of the best days of my life, so I’m just so appreciative to them. It was so emotional driving in when Dingle supporters lined the streets coming into Croke Park and that was probably a bit of a shock to the system.

“It was probably emotion that we didn’t necessarily need, but it definitely touched the heartstrings. We have such a small town, we have such small support, but the support that we have is such high-quality people.

“To look up and see them in the stands was extremely special.

“It doesn’t get more special than that. It doesn’t get more special than growing up with those people and watching the characters grow over the years. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in Croke Park and it’s been an even longer time since I played in Páirc an Ághasaigh.

“To come home and to top it all off, to top the year off like this has been just such an unbelievable experience and I’m just so grateful.”

Dingle man thanks AFL club for support

He also paid tribute to Geelong for allowing him the chance to win the All-Ireland, saying: “I wouldn’t still be in Australia if it wasn’t for Geelong and the support that they’ve shown me and the interest that they’ve shown in my interests. The relationship we’ve grown over the years has been unreal.

“I just can’t be any more grateful to them because I know that it’s not a normal thing for a professional sports team who’s paying your salary to be allowing you to do these type of things.

“I’m just so grateful they have the trust in me to come back in good shape and ready to go for them this year, which I absolutely will be.”

Geelong defender Mark O’Connor has paid tribute to Geelong for allowing him to fulfil a childhood dream. With Cats teammates in the stands, O’Connor added an Irish title to an AFL premiership. Chief Football Reporter @cleary_mitch has the details. @7AFL pic.twitter.com/rxbCMZqT19

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) January 19, 2026

Kerry All-Ireland ambitions not ruled out

O’Connor also hinted that he has ambitions of winning silverware with Kerry, hinting that it’s his next goal after his time with Geelong is up” “It just seemed so outrageous. It was always a dream to climb the steps of the Hogan with Kerry. So, look, of course I do.

“I have one year left on this contract, and I owe Geelong a lot.

“They’ve given me a life that I never thought I’d have. I’m going to give them absolutely everything this year, I owe them at least that. I’ve been there for 10 years now. It’s a long time, it’s a decade.

“We’ll see after that.”