Conor McKenna is set to return home to Tyrone after calling time on his AFL career.
The 24-year-old has decided retire with immediate effect after a six year stint down under - making 79 appearances for the Melbourne club.
The decision comes after he was the only player in the league to test positive for Covid-19 earlier in the summer, while he also endured previous bouts of homesickness.
“I do really feel the time is now right for me to return home to Ireland,” McKenna said in an Essendon FC statement.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that at some point, I’d want to be returning home to my family and I’ve been weighing up the decision recently. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but it’s also been a chance to take stock and weigh up several things in my life, so the time is right.
“I will always be grateful for Essendon’s support of both myself and my family since I arrived at the club from the other side of the world at the end of 2014.
“I will miss my teammates and coaches and I want to thank the Bomber fans for their support across the journey too. I will always wish the boys well and hope they see success in the not too distant future.”
The former Tyrone minor could be set for an inter-county career upon returning home, he's likely to be an option for Mickey Harte and the Red Hands in 2021.
