Kerry Young Gun Signs For Brisbane Lions In Latest Irish AFL Switch

Ben Murphy has become the latest rising Gaelic football star to make the leap to the AFL, with the Brisbane Lions confirming the signing of the 18-year-old Kerry native on Monday.

Murphy, who previously played for the Kerry minors and U20's, was one of the most highly sought-after GAA talents in the AFL recruitment system and had been tracked by the Lions for more than two years.

The move comes just days after lining out for Austin Stacks in the Kerry Senior Football Championship final, where they fell to a Mark O’Connor-inspired Dingle team. Murphy is now set to join O’Connor in Australia, alongside a growing list of Irish players making the switch to the professional code.

In a statement confirming his arrival as a Category B rookie, Brisbane highlighted Murphy’s athleticism and versatility, pointing to his potential to grow into multiple positions across the AFL field. Brisbane scout Shane Rogers also shared his vision for Ben Murphy in the game.

He will start as a defender initially whilst he learns the game.But he has scope to develop craft across a number of lines and the ability to play wing long term. He stands at 191 centimetres and is growing, he has speed, has agility and an ability to read the game quickly.

Speaking after the announcement, Murphy admitted he expects a steep learning curve but is embracing the opportunity.

AFL is similar enough to Gaelic, though I expect to face a few obstacles like getting used to a totally new ball, but I’m excited to face the challenge.

He also credited fellow Kerry AFL players like Mark O’Connor, Cillian Burke (Geelong), and former schoolmate Rob Monahan (Carlton) as inspirations.

Seeing a person so close to you being successful really gives you the confidence that you can be too if you put your mind to it.

Ben Murphy will now link up with fellow Irishmen Conor McKenna and Darragh Joyce at the Lions, who also have three Irish players on their AFLW list: Neasa Dooley, Jen Dunne and Orla O'Dwyer.

Ben Murphy’s signing comes on the same morning that the signing of young Mayo star Kobe McDonald was announced by St Kilda, another sign that the AFL’s interest in Irish talent is showing no signs of slowing down.

For Ben Murphy, the move to Brisbane is both a massive opportunity and the next chapter in an already promising career and for Kerry it is unfortunately another potential star departing for pastures new.