Dingle manager Padraig Corcoran is hopeful that Aussie Rules star Mark O’Connor will be available for Sunday week’s All-Ireland club SFC final against St Brigid’s at Croke Park.

O’Connor was given permission by his AFL club Geelong to line out in last Saturday’s dramatic semi-final extra-time comeback victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s, despite being in the middle of pre-season training ahead of the start of the 2026 AFL campaign in a couple of months. He also featured in Dingle’s triumphant Kerry and Munster campaigns, and Corcoran is keeping his fingers crossed that the midfielder will be released one more time.

“The story is, and people don’t believe me, we don’t have any contact with Geelong. Mark went back, I think he flew out on the Tuesday after the Munster final and that was it. He was over in pre-season, as he had to be,” the Dingle boss explained to the media after a breathless contest at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“They’d started on December 1st, but I think whatever communication and conversations Mark had with the club, we heard he was coming back and we’re just delighted to have him. We’re just very grateful to Geelong for accommodating him. I’m not sure did they have a break at Christmas, but I suppose they’re certainly back in action now in the next week, if they’re not back already.”

Corcoran added: “We need him. He’s a massive player for us. We lost Barry O’Sullivan there this year, which is a huge loss for us. Just delighted that we were able to get Mark coming in.

“It was great to have him for the few games in the county championship. We didn’t think we’d have him for Munster and then he stayed back and it was a huge bonus for us. It gave the lads a great lift when he did come in for the game today.”

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