Hawthorn have confirmed the signing of Irishman Fionn O'Hara to a two-year deal, with the Westmeath County recruit heading to Waverley as a Category B Rookie.
The 19year-old will venture to Australia following stints in both rugby and Gaelic football, where he has shown impressive speed at an elite level.
Hawks list manager Mark McKenzie expressed his excitement to have the Irish teenager join Hawthorn for the next two years.
โWeโre rapt to be able to bring Fionn on board after having our eye on him for three years,โ McKenzie said in a club statement.
Fionn-ally! ๐ค
We've had our eye on him for a few years but now exciting Irishman Fionn O'Hara is officially a Hawk! ๐
DETAILS โฌ๏ธ
๐ : https://t.co/r3xQFJaRxf pic.twitter.com/ymDuzLpOTN
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) October 26, 2021
โOver the course of the time weโve got to know him, weโve found him to be a really high-level character with a great work ethic and a real understanding of professionalism having had that experience in those elite pathways.
โHe has worked hard already to hone his AFL skills, so heโs already developed some strong kicking skills coupled with being a good decision maker with ball in hand as well.โ
The Hawks have confirmed that O'Hara first visited the club last year and is expected to join his new teammates for training early in 2022.
O'Hara becomes the third Irish talent to join the brown and gold, with duo Conor Nash and Conor Glass having represented Hawthorn in the AFL.
Fremantle confirmed the signing of Irishman Ultan Kelm earlier this month, with the Northern Ireland product also joining the AFL as a Category B Rookie.