Conor McKenna and the Brisbane Lions suffer heartbreak as Collingwood win the AFL Premiership in a dramatic Grand Final.
The Tyrone native was attempting to become only the second Irishman, after Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly, to win both the All-Ireland and the AFL Premiership.
Conor McKenna of Tyrone and the Brisbane Lions were defeated 90-86 by Collingwood in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.
The Magpies won their 16th Premiership title with a four-point triumph in front of 100,024 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in what has already been dubbed one of the finest finals in history.
However, the Lions felt aggrieved when, with just two minutes remaining, advantage was called after Lachie Neale and Zac Bailey were tackled late. Bailey rushed the subsequent kick as he was set upon by Collingwood defenders apparently unaware the Lions had a free-kick.
The Magpies held on to claim the title as Brisbane’s poor run of results at the MCG continued, having only won once in their last 16 games at the famous stadium.
It was Collingwood’s first Premiership title since 2010 after losing out in the 2011 and 2018 deciders.
McKenna was bidding to become the second Irishman after Kerry’s Tadhg Kennelly to win an All-Ireland title and an AFL Premiership, but the Eglish native failed to reach the heights of his impressive semi-final performance against Carlton.
Bobby Hill kicked four goals and claimed the Norm Smith Medal as the Magpies recovered from losing the influential Nathan Murphy to concussion at the end of the first quarter.
Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron scored three goals each for the Lions while Bailey was on target twice in the opening quarter.
The lead changed hands 10 times throughout a pulsating decider and the Lions were leading after Cameron’s third major.
