Spillane warns GAA as Roarty's AFL move raises alarm bells

Donegal's Finnbarr Roarty with Meath's Jordan Morris ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Pat Spillane believes Finnbarr Roarty’s move to AFL side Collingwood is a major blow for Donegal and a worrying sign for Gaelic football.

The 2025 Young Footballer of the Year has signed a two-year deal with the Australian club, leaving Jim McGuinness with a significant gap to fill.

Speaking on the Indo GAA podcast, Spillane questioned the implications for Donegal and warned that AFL clubs are now targeting established inter-county stars.

"We know, down through the years, the Donegal setup under Jim McGuinness is the GAA equivalent of an enclosed order of nuns. That veil of secrecy, that sacrifice, the whole shebang,” said the eight-time All-Ireland winner.

"This is the first crack in that Jim McGuinness [setup]. The fact that negotiations were obviously going on, no-one knew about it, and he's gone.

"It's as big a bombshell as Éamonn Fitzmaurice going to Galway as manager. Is it going to have a major dent on Donegal's chances of winning next year's All-Ireland? Christ, it is.”

He added: "The frightening thing about it is, if Kobe wins ‘Young Player of the Year’ this year, that's three of the last six Young Players of the Year are in the AFL.

"I'll tell you this lads, it's a huge blow for Donegal, but it has to be a wake-up call. Lads, they're not coming for our young lads anymore, they're not targeting our minors, they're targeting our marquee players."