All-Ireland winning Kerry manager Jack O'Connor says AFL teams should be forced to compensate GAA clubs for the 'free hit' of recruiting their players. Kerrymen Rob Monahan, Cillian Burke and Ben Murphy are also contracted to AFL clubs for 2026. Asked about the recruitment of Kerry's players, O'Connor said: "It's aggravating, to be honest, particularly for the clubs. "Obviously Mark O'Connor and Rob Monahan as well...Rob was a very promising player but Mark O'Connor, I had him as a minor in 2014 and 2015. In my mind, Mark O'Connor would have been another Brian Fenton if he had stayed around the place.

Source: Irish Examiner December 21, 2025 17:52 UTC