McKenna set for Brisbane debut, Mullin must wait as new AFL season begins

Conor McKenna will make his Brisbane Lions debut against Port Adelaide Power this weekend as the new 2023 AFL season begins on Thursday.

The Tyrone native had previously played with Essendon but retired in 2020 after six years with the Bombers and returned to Ireland to help the Red Hands win an All-Ireland in 2021.

However, he opted to return to Australia and despite meeting a number of clubs, he decided to join the Lions and has been named in the half-back line for Sunday's clash.

Kilkenny's Darragh Joyce, who also signed for Brisbane ahead of the 2023 season, is included in the emergency listings but there is no place in the squad for James Madden.

Eleven Irish players are on the books of Australian teams for the incoming season, which begins with Carlton’s visit to Richmond today.

Mayo’s Oisin Mullin, who has featured as an emergency option in warm-up games, will have to wait for his AFL debut as he wasn’t included in the Geelong squad for their sold-out clash with Collingwood on Friday.

Team-mates Mark O’Connor and Zach Tuohy have been named in the starting side for the Premiership holders.

Hawthorn’s Conor Nash has been named on the interchange list for Hawthorn’s home clash with Essendon on Sunday, but there is no place for Fionn O’Hara. Cian McBride, who has been playing VFL warm-ups this month, is also not in the squad for the Bombers.

Mark Keane, who was involved in a heated training ground clash with team-mate Darcy Fogarty on Thursday, must wait for his Adelaide debut as they are on the road against the GWS Giants, who have not included Derry’s Callum Browne in their squad.

2023 Irish AFL players

Mark Keane (Adelaide)

Darragh Joyce (Brisbane)

James Madden (Brisbane)

Conor McKenna (Brisbane)

Cian McBride (Essendon)

Oisin