Monaghan footballer Karl Gallagher has signed for Aussie rules outfit, Adelaide Crows.
21-year-old Gallgher joins the AFL club as a Category B rookie on a two-year deal. Gallager came to attention of the AFL scouts in 2019.
The Emyvale clubman featured in all championship fixtures for the Farney County last year. Gallagher is the second player to be unavailable to manager Vinny Corey for 2024.
Rory Beggan has travelled to the United States for trials as a kicker in the NFL.
“In 2019 I was invited to the European AFL combine in Dublin” Gallagher told the Adelaide football club website. “That is where I first made contact with Hamish (Ogilvie) and the Crows team.”
“We had talks and I was supposed to come over for a look at the facility and things in late 2019 and early 2020 but COVID-19 unfortunately put a dent in those plans”.
“It had always been in the back of my mind. But in 2022 and 2023 I was keen to break into my senior Gaelic team so I fully committed to that.
“But once the past season ended, I wanted to give the AFL another crack and was happy to have the Crows still interested in getting me across.”
Monaghan open up their Allianz league Division one campaign on January 27th in Croke Park against All-Ireland champions Dublin.
While, they face Fermanagh this Wednesday evening (10th) in their final Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna cup group game. A draw or victory will see Monaghan progress to the semi-final.
