Geelong Football Club is excited to announce that Mark O’Connor has put pen to a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the Club until at least the end of 2026.

The Irishman joined Geelong as a Category B Rookie in 2016 and made his AFL debut in Round 8 2017. He has played 114 games in the Hoops since his debut and currently sits fourth all-time in games played by an Irish-born player.

O’Connor has established himself as a mainstay in Geelong’s team since 2019 playing at least 20 games in four of the last five seasons. Playing mostly across halfback and the midfield, O’Connor achieved the ultimate success when he played a key role in Geelong’s 2022 Premiership triumph.

Originally recruited from Country Kerry, Ireland, O’Connor was an emerging Gaelic footballer before switching the round ball for the Sherrin, winning two All-Ireland Under-18 medals with Kerry in 2014 and 2015.

Still maintaining strong connections back home, O’Connor has played games for Dingle the last two seasons, which included helping them win the County Kerry Championship last year in September.

O’Connor is one three Irish players on Geelong’s AFL list, alongside Zach Tuohy and Oisin Mullin, and one of seven in total at the Cats, with Geelong’s AFLW squad playing home to four Irish-born players in Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns, Anna-Rose Kennedy and Kate Kenny.

Geelong Cats General Manager – Football Andrew Mackie said, “We have great respect for what Mark has achieved in his career so far, he has become a reliable and versatile player for us and look forward to seeing him continue to wear the Hoops.”

O’Connor’s contract extension follows on from the recent re-signings of Zach Guthrie, Jhye Clark and fellow Irishman Oisin Mullin.

The Cats’ next home game is against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday 27 April. Secure your membership today at membership.geelongcats.com.au.