Geelong has pulled out of the race to sign former Bomber and Gaelic Football product Conor McKenna, instead shifting their focus to another talent from the Emerald Isle.

McKenna ended his six-season stint at Tullamarine in 2021, returning home to County Tyrone to help the Northern Irish outfit claim All-Ireland honours last year.

Now back on Australian shores in an effort to add to his 79 AFL appearances, the 26-year-old has met with an array of interested clubs, including Brisbane, Essendon, Port Adelaide and St Kilda.

With an Irish flavour to their recent premiership win, with Mark O'Connor and Zach Tuohy each claiming medallions, Geelong has been a haven for the GAA adept at late. And while McKenna is no longer in the Cats' sights, reports from The Irish Examiner have claimed that the Kardinia Park club has returned their focus to another Gaelic game-changer.

Although County Mayo star Oisín Mullin had committed to the Cats ahead of the 2022 season, the 22-year-old opted to remain at home and chase glory in red and green. However, off the back of a sterling exchange period, Geelong is still seeking to add talent from alternative avenues.

The two-time Young Footballer of the Year is said to have kept in contact with the Cats across the course of the season and appears set to make the trek south to sign a Category B Rookie deal in the Pivot City - a contract that would sit outside the club's salary cap.

Upon signing his since-rejected two-year deal in November of 2021, Geelong's list boss, Stephen Wells, was effusive in his praise of the young defender.

"We are thrilled he has chosen to join the Cats as he transitions to AFL,” Wells said.

“Oisin has already established himself as an elite player in the GAA, and it is a big step to make the move to Australia. We have a strong plan in place around his development and transition to football."

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Mullin rode the crest of an up-and-down 2022 season in Ireland's west, bowing out in the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland competition after struggling with a noxious hamstring complaint.

At 180cms, Mullin will not come across as a key defender, yet, with his lightning pace acting as his point of difference, Chris Scott's side will have another dimension on offer once the Irishman trades the spherical peil for the oval ball in due time.