Cork has been dealt a major blow as Mark Keane has announced that he will be returning to the Adelaide Crows to resume his AFL career.
The 22-year-old flew back home last year where he joined up with the Cork hurling team and helped them reach an All-Ireland quarter-final.
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Keane was expected to take part in his county’s pre-season training but like many other GAA athletes has chosen to fly down under and pursue a career in the AFL.
KEANE SET TO MAKE A RETURN TO AUSSIE RULES🇦🇺
Cork’s Mark Keane will return to Australia to resume his AFL career after deciding to join the Adelaide Crows. pic.twitter.com/aoleuJ4Onr
— GAA Editz (@Gaa_editz) January 20, 2023
“When I came home I just wasn’t ready to go back,” he said in an interview with RTÉ Sport.
“Just in my own head, I’ve always went back without a bother, but this time just felt it wasn’t the same and wasn’t ready to go back and commit to it.”
His club Ballygiblin GAA praised him on Facebook for his help in their All-Ireland junior hurling triumph.
“We wish him all the best in his new career and we will be cheering him on from this side of the world at all hours of the night and morning,”