Irish AFL star Conor McKenna has flown home from Australia, throwing his career with Essendon into major doubt.
The 23-year-old Tyrone native has returned to Ireland for 'homesickness and family-related reasons', according to the Australian club.
McKenna, a successful Red Hand minor footballer, made the leap to Down Under in 2015 and has carved out a successful career with the Bombers.
But the Eglish clubman has made his battles with homesickness no secret in the last year, returning home twice as well as togging out for his club in a crucial relegation play-off without Essendon's knowledge.
Essendon and McKenna are understood to have been in talks about the situation in recent weeks, and the club are hopeful that he'll return for their Marsh Community Series match against West Coast on February 27.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Essendon general manager of football Dan Richardson said: "We have been in lengthy discussions with Conor over recent weeks and we are completely supportive of him returning home to be with his family at this time.
"We remain in constant communication with both Conor and his family and we will continue to provide our support during this period."
Essendon begin their 2020 Premiership season against Fremantle on March 21.
