O’Connor will play for Kerry “if they want me”

MARK O’Connor has given Kerry GAA supporters a huge boost by reiterating his desire and determination to wear the green and gold jersey again sometime in the future.

Speaking to The Kerryman, the two-time All-Ireland minor medal-winning Dingle player stressed that he is focusing on his AFL career with the Geelong Cats, where he has a contract to 2022, but that he still wants to represent the Kingdom down the line.

“Yeah, definitely at some stage. But I don’t know when that will be,” said the 23-year-old.

“It’s very hard to leave here now at the minute. I have unfinished business with Geelong. There are things that I want to achieve here first, then I will come back.

“It’s always in my head to return, the grá for Kerry is still there. At some point in time, I do see it happening. If they still want me!”

Watching from afar, O’Connor was disappointed by Kerry’s replay defeat to Dublin in last year’s

All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park.

“I was just really disappointed. Some of my best friends were playing. Especially the draw the first day, with a couple of minutes to go, I was sure that Kerry would take it.

“There is always that pull. It’s great to put on that green and gold jersey. Winning with Kerry is on a different level.

“I don’t know would I have a made a difference. They weren’t my initial thoughts afterwards. It was simply the feelings of huge disappointment. I was a Kerry fan for those games. Dublin winning the five-in-a-row hurt that little bit extra as well,” he added.

The Dingle clubman also confirmed that Geelong team mate Stefan Okunbor’s recovery from an Achilles tendon injury is well ahead of schedule and that the Na Gaeil man is back running.

“Yeah, his recovery time has been far better than was first feared. He is back running already! It was a different type of surgery he got, so it’s not a year-long injury. He should get a game in for us by the end of the year.

“Stefan will be fine. He’s a physical specimen and a great person. I would hope that I’ve given him some bit of help, but it hasn’t been that much. Stefan never needed a motivator, he has always done that himself. All the credit is down to him for his progression,” he said.

O’Connor and his Geelong teammates are back in full contact training before the AFL season resumes next Thursday, June 11. The Cats host Hawthorn the following day.

ANYBODY with any doubts as to how well Mark O’Connor has settled into life with Geelong only has to listen to what his teammates say about him...

CAPTAIN JOEL SELWOOD

“He’s just such a power athlete, huge runner and gives us so much help down that backline. He’s only been kicking the ball around for three years and he’s taken his game to just an unbelievable level already.

“He’s going to take his game to the next level in 2020 and then on from that. He’s going to be a special player for Geelong footy club.”

VICE-CAPTAIN PATRICK DANGERFIELD

“He’s got a beautiful left foot for someone who’s been playing the game for such a short period of time.

“He’s just so determined to want to be the best version of himself that he possibly can be. His rise has been quite astonishing with how he’s cemented his place in our back six.”

ZACH TUOHY

“I’ve helped him as much as I possibly can but anything he’s achieved to this point is really down to his own drive and professionalism.

“His attitude to training was remarkable. He came in not just wanting to play but wanting to be one of the better players in the team.

“He is the type that I could see being a captain down the line. He has all those kind of attributes and is learning off one of the best captains that’s ever been in the AFL.

“Everyone likes being around him and he’s got an infectious personality.”

VICE-CAPTAIN MARK BLICAVS

“He’s one that I thought could challenge me and made me a little bit nervous. He came to the club and showed some great work ethic, ability to learn the game and the relationships he’s made with his teammates have just been outstanding.”

So, Mark, what do you make of all that praise?

“IT’S great to be honest. They have to say nice things about their team mates on camera! I’m only joking! I love the lads out here. I honestly didn’t expect to find that in a professional environment. I thought it would all be simply business, but I’ve grown very close to a lot of the lads, and it’s nice to hear that kind of feedback.”

How has Zach Tuohy helped you?

“When I signed, I think he was in the process of signing. He was in talks with the club, and I had my fingers crossed that he would join.

“It’s been great. To instantly have something in common with each other is a good start to any relationship. He has been fantastic, just a sounding board for me. We could talk about anything.

“He has been very good to Stefan (Okunbor) too. He has been like a mentor to both of us.”

Yes, Stefan Okunbor. The former Kerry minor and under-21 who is another teammate of O’Connor’s with the Cats. The 21-year-old, in the second year of his twoyear rookie deal, is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but now there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the Na Gaeil clubman.

“Yeah, his recovery time has been far better than was first feared. He is back running already. It was a different type of surgery he got, so it’s not a year-long injury. He should get a game in for us by the end of the year.

“Stefan will be fine. He’s a physical specimen and a great person. I would hope that I’ve given him some bit of help, but it hasn’t been that much. Stefan never needed a motivator, he has always done that himself. All the credit is down to him for his progression.”

And, what of Deividas Uosis, a Dingle club mate, who is joining the Brisbane Lions in October?

“A very similar story, he reminds me of Stefan. Deividas knows what he wants, and I was no influence over his coming to Australia or not. I’m glad I can be there for him now, like Zach has been there for me.

“When I was playing with him, whether that was under-16 or minor with Dingle, he used to be the goalkeeper. I never really saw him show his athletic potential. But I used to watch his school games, he’s very talented and very driven. As a sportsman and physically, he can really thrive out here.”

O’Connor, Okunbor and Uosis. Flying the Kingdom flag in Oz.