Monaghan's Karl Gallagher has joined AFL club Adelaide on a two-year Category B rookie deal.
The 21-year-old Emyvale forward becomes the first Oriel County player to join the AFL having impressed during a pre-season trial in Australia.
Gallagher’s departure will be a major blow for manager Vinny Corey, given that he featured in all eight of their championship games as they reached the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final, where they lost to Dublin.
Corey is already planning without goalkeeper Rory Beggan for at least the start of their Division 1 campaign as he is heading to America to compete in an NFL combine.
The Crows have been tracking Gallagher since 2019 when he stood out at a combine in Ireland before the Covid-19 pandemic scuppered any possible move until now.
His switch means 13 Irishmen will be with AFL clubs this season.
Starting off a new year with a new signing! Welcome to West Lakes, Karl 🇮🇪
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) January 7, 2024
Details: https://t.co/O7YkaDiW1P#weflayasone pic.twitter.com/eLB6Oknt0d
"It was definitely a tough decision to officially make the move, I went back home over Christmas and had some long chats with my family and friends," Gallagher told the Adelaide club website.
"It’s a big commitment moving across the world, and something I didn’t take lightly.
"Opportunities like this don’t come around too often, so I was happy to take it with both hands and commit to being part of this footy club for the next two years."
