In an interview yesterday on An Saol ó Dheas on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, up-and-coming Kerry footballer Mark O'Connor revealed that he is currently in talks with three Australian Football Clubs about a possible contract.

Last year's All-Ireland winning minor captain has just returned from a two-week trip to Australia, and said that he was currently in talks with Melbourne, North Melbourne and Geelong about a possible contract, although he has yet to fully make his mind up on the move Down Under. 

Asked why he wanted to go to Australia, he replied: "It's professional, I can spend all my time on football, on the physical training, in the gym to improve my knee.  I haven't signed anything yet, but it's very attractive.  

"After seeing all the incredible facilities they have there to develop the players, the physios..."

Asked if his knee was bothering him at the moment, he said that it was, but that he hadn't taken a break as yet and that as soon as he did, the knee would improve.   

Asked if he had decided that he would go over, and if he had spoken to Kerry management about it, he said: "I'm not fully sure as yet ...  I'm just back from two great weeks there, so it looks very attractive, but  I'm just back, I mightn't feel like that next week when I've had time to think...  

"They (Kerry management) know I went over, but of course I'll speak to them before I sign anything, they have earned that much respect."

If Mark gets and accepts an offer he would be leaving next month for Australia. 

He revealed that he had met with five clubs in Australia - Melbourne, North Melbourne, Geelong, Carlton and Essendon.

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