Irishman Conor McKenna to make AFL return with Brisbane Lions

Conor McKenna is returning to the AFL after spending the past two seasons playing Gaelic football.

Former Essendon defender Conor McKenna is returning to the AFL with the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

The Brisbane Lions have confirmed the signing of former Essendon defender Conor McKenna for the 2023 season.

Irishman McKenna made 79 appearances for the Bombers between 2015 and 2020 before returning home to play Gaelic football for the past two seasons.

Keen to rekindle his AFL career, McKenna will join the Lions through the pre-season supplemental selection period after nominating Brisbane as his preferred club.

The secret's officially out!
Welcome to the den Conor 🦁

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) November 18, 2022

“I wanted to come back to a club that was playing deep into finals pushing for a premiership and Brisbane have been doing that for the last number of years,” the 26-year-old McKenna said.

“The club has been great for both myself and my partner Amy in making us feel comfortable and putting foundations in place to make sure the move out goes as smooth as possible.

“I am really looking forward to getting back out and into the swing of things.”

Lions football manager Danny Daly said McKenna would “further improve” Brisbane’s list with his “run and speed”.

“He showed in his time at Essendon that one of his strengths is that he can play at both ends of the ground, and he can also win plenty of the ball,” Daly said.

“We look forward to Conor putting in a solid pre-season and helping us go that next step in 2023.”

McKenna will start pre-season training with the Lions – who have also been strengthened by the off-season signings of Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston – on December 5.