17 Facts About Martin Clarke

Martin "Marty" Clarke is a Gaelic and former Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2012 to 2014.

Martin Clarke starred for Down GAA Minors, helping them to the 2005 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship and played a large part in bringing his school, to 2 MacRory Cup finals in 2005 and 2006, and to a MacLarnon Cup and an All Ireland Colleges 'B' title in as many years.

Martin Clarke was part of the Down under-21 team that won an Ulster Championship in 2005.

Martin Clarke played senior football at local club level with An Riocht as a centre half forward.

Martin Clarke was first alerted to AFL scouts in the 2005 MacRory Cup final, at which the Australian U17 international rules football team was present.

Martin Clarke was invited to an AFL training camp in July 2006.

Martin Clarke impressed scouts even more and on 22 August 2006 signed a contract with Collingwood Football Club, becoming the first ever truly international rookie for the club.

In October 2007, when Martin Clarke returned home from Australia for a three-week holiday and during that time helped his local club An Riocht GAC lift its first ever Down Division One league title, defeating Kilcoo in the final.

Martin Clarke was dubbed by Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna as "the Irish equivalent of Nathan Buckley".

Martin Clarke was developed through Collingwood's VFL affiliate the Williamstown Football Club, where he played a number of games semi-professionally as a rookie before debuting at AFL level.

Martin Clarke was not only able to adapt extremely well to the oval ball, but brought across some Gaelic football skills which made publicity, particularly his ability to toe poke the oval ball off the ground into his hands.

Martin Clarke had an outstanding game which led Pies assistant coach Gavin Brown to say.

Martin Clarke made his debut in a premiership season game on 23 June 2007, against the Swans.

Martin Clarke started 2008 in a run of poor form which saw him dropped from the Collingwood side to play the Brisbane Lions.

Martin Clarke was ruled out of representing Ireland in the 2008 International Rules Series due to an ankle injury.

On 10 October 2011, Martin Clarke was traded from Greater Western Sydney to Collingwood in the 2011 AFL Draft, marking his return to the AFL.

Martin Clarke opted not to play in the International Rules Series between Ireland and Australia, instead completing the start of preseason training with his new team.