AFL 2024: Carlton Irish recruit Matt Duffy tears ACL playing Gaelic

A horror injury mishap in a competition overseas means a new Blue could face a severely delayed start to his AFL career.

Carlton's Irish recruit Matt Duffy ruptured his ACL playing Gaelic football last weekend. Picture: Carlton FC

Carlton will remain committed to Irish teenage recruit Matt Duffy after the tall midfield prospect tore his anterior cruciate ligament playing Gaelic football.

Duffy, 19, suffered the injury playing for his club side Dromard last weekend and will undergo surgery, delaying his arrival to Australia.

The Blues signed Duffy along with Kerry teenage prodigy Robert Monahan in August, with both added to the international rookie list.

Carlton said it expected Duffy, a mobile 194cm talent, to be out for the next 12 months.

Matt Duffy tore his ACL playing Gaelic football and will miss the 2024 season. Picture: Carlton FC

Blues football boss Brad Lloyd said Duffy had the club’s approval to play in Ireland and would receive strong support in his recovery.

“We really feel for Matt who had worked so hard to earn this opportunity, but we have told him we are committed to supporting him right throughout his recovery,” Lloyd said.

“Matt had been doing everything possible back home in Ireland to ensure when he officially joined the club he would be ready to handle the rigours of an AFL pre-season.

“It’s really unfortunate he will now be sidelined; however, he will have all the resources he needs to ensure he makes a full recovery.”

Monahan is expected to arrive in Melbourne ahead of Carlton’s pre-season training start on November 27.