His return is a massive boost to Gabriel Bannigan’s side ahead of the 2026 season.
Karl Gallagher looks set to pull on the Monaghan jersey again in 2025 after his spell in Australian Rules football came to an early close.
The Emyvale clubman has been delisted by the Adelaide Crows, less than a year after making history as the first player from the Farney County to sign for an AFL club.
Gallagher joined Adelaide in January 2024 as a Category B rookie on a two-year deal. Over the season he featured 32 times for the club’s reserve side, but the Crows have opted not to extend his contract.
Adelaide Crows list manager Justin Reid had plenty of praise for the 23-year-old for the way he embraced the challenge of moving halfway across the world and switching codes. “Karl can leave the club with his head held high,” Reid said.
Gallagher’s return will be a timely lift for Monaghan. His last county appearance came in the 2023 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final against Dublin, and with the retirement of key personnel such as Darren Hughes, his athleticism and experience abroad could give the Farney men added energy for the coming campaign.
While Gallagher departs the AFL, a strong Irish presence remains. Eleven male players from across the country are still contracted for the upcoming season:
- Adelaide – Mark Keane (Cork)
- Brisbane Lions – Conor McKenna (Tyrone), Darragh Joyce (Kilkenny)
- Carlton – Matt Duffy (Longford), Rob Monahan (Kerry)
- Geelong – Cillian Burke, Mark O’Connor (both Kerry), Oisín Mullin (Mayo)
- GWS Giants – Callum Brown (Derry)
- Hawthorn – Conor Nash (Meath)
- St. Kilda – Liam O’Connell (Cork)
Their continued success highlights the strong link between Gaelic football and the professional Australian game. For Gallagher, however, the next chapter seems set to unfold back on home soil in Monaghan colours.
