Mark O’Connor suggests Kerry return could be on the cards in near future

A huge boost!

The 0-23 to 1-19 win over St Brigid's saw the 29-year-old become the first player to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup and the AFL title, which he won with Geelong in 2022.

O'Connor is one of Kerry and the GAA's great lost talents, after being destined for inter-county stardom - following his two All-Ireland minor football title wins the Kingdom back in 2014 and 2015 - before his move to the Geelong Cats in 2017 put paid to those dreams.

However, Kerry fans may not have to wait too long to see him back in the green and gold, with O'Connor strongly hinting that he could return when his contract Down Under runs out.

Speaking with RTÉ Radio, he said: "I absolutely hope so. This [club] is probably the hardest one to win. It's probably the most emotional, it's probably the most personal. But of course, as a young fellow, I probably didn't even dream of playing in Croke Park with Daingean Uí Chúis.

"It just seemed so outrageous. It was always a dream of climbing 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."