Essendon Football Club is delighted to announce Conor McKenna will join the Bombers as a rookie listed player under the club's Alternative Talent Program.

The exciting Irish prospect has accepted a two-year contract with Essendon and will be the second player to be placed on the club’s Rookie B List, following Johnny Rayner’s appointment last year.

McKenna qualifies as a Rookie B as he has not been registered in an Australian football competition for the past three years. 

The 18-year-old was a star Gaelic football player from the county of Tyrone, Northern Ireland and was identified for his talents last year.  In his first AFL game in a combined Irish/Australian squad, the quick and agile 184cm midfielder kicked four goals and was almost best afield.  

List Manager Adrian Dodoro said McKenna’s raw talent was an exciting prospect for the club.

“We are thrilled Conor has taken the opportunity to join the Essendon Football Club under our Alternative Talent Program,” Dodoro said.

“We were one of two clubs to attend the Irish Combine in December last year, and we were immediately impressed with Conor’s talents. He has exceptional speed and endurance and he has a strong desire to become a professional footballer.

“His athletic profile is elite and while there is a long way to go, we really feel that Conor has the attributes to become a successful AFL player.”

Essendon Football Club would like to acknowledge Kevin Sheehan, Tadhg Kennelly and Michael Ablett for assisting the club in this process.