Football

AFL star Callum Brown still dreaming of All-Ireland glory with Limavady and Derry

Former Derry minor star inspired by Conor Glass’s achievements

Callum Brown admits he looks forward to the day he pulls on the jerseys of both Derry and club Limavady. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Callum Brown won a Derry junior football title with Limavady before embarking on an AFL career Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Callum Brown has said he still holds ambitions of leading his hometown club Limavady Wolfhounds to All-Ireland club glory.

Brown, currently making his name in the AFL with GWS Giants in Sydney, cast envious glances when watching two-time Ulster champion Conor Glass make history as part of the Glen side who won their first All-Ireland senior club title after defeating St Brigid’s 2-10 to 1-12 at Croke Park last month.

Glass, who played 21 senior AFL games across five seasons for Melbourne-based Hawthorn, returned to the GAA in 2020, but his influence remains undiminished for Brown who dreams of following in the 2022 Allstar’s footsteps.

“I sent Conor a text to congratulate him, he’s in serious form, and knowing what he has achieved has prompted more thoughts of me going home and trying to win an All-Ireland with Derry,” said Brown, who was a Derry junior football championship winner with his club in 2018.

“I definitely I want to give the All-Ireland a crack, and help Limavaday, to achieve success as well in the future before I retire.

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“It’s depressing saying it because I haven’t been a part of the GAA for so long but Conor respects that and never tries to convince me to leave GWS and go home.”

Conor Glass wheels away in celebration after his vital late goal in Glen's All-Ireland final win over St Brigid's. Picture: Mark Marlow
Conor Glass wheels away in celebration after his vital late goal in Glen's All-Ireland final win over St Brigid's. Picture: Mark Marlow

Glass recently became engaged to Peter Canavan’s niece Niamh O’Donnell at Adare Manor, to put the icing on the cake of a dream three-year spell starting with Derry’s first Ulster title for nearly a quarter of a century in 2022 followed by back-to-back success last year before a sweep of Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles with Glen.

“The future for Derry is looking good with Conor as captain and Cormac Murphy is the forward they needed,” Brown added.

“The best thing about Conor is that he’s always had the mindset of being a leader, he loves helping people, and he’s an unselfish role model, and a humble man who deserves all of his success.”