As the AFL community celebrated Multicultural Round, Collingwood Media caught up with former Magpie Marty Clarke.

The 28-year-old Irishman returned to his homeland after retiring from Australian football at the end of the 2014 season.

Arriving in Melbourne in 2006, Clarke made his league debut at the age of 19 just twelve months later and quickly went about making himself a fixture in the Collingwood line up for the best part of the next three seasons.

A brief return to Ireland was followed by a second stint at the Holden Centre that finished on 73 senior games.

On the sport he’s still playing back home in Ireland…
“I am playing Gaelic football for my local club An Riocht (which is Gaelic for 'the Kingdom'). It is the equivalent of playing local footy in Australia. The standard is good, and we are top of our division with over half of the season played. I am captain of the team and really enjoying the season. I am playing centre half forward, which is my favourite position in Gaelic.”

On his return to Australian Football, playing for the Galway Magpies in the ARFLI (Australian Rules Football League of Ireland)…
“A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine who plays for the Galway Magpies asked me if I would make the numbers up for his team, as they were short and playing in Belfast, which is only a half hour from me. I decided to play and really enjoyed the day. There are four teams throughout Ireland and they play off in carnivals at four venues throughout the year, having finals after that. It was around two years since I last kicked a footy so it was great to be back out there. I played in the midfield and managed to kick a few goals. There are a few ex-pat Aussies who play but it is predominately Irish lads who enjoy the game. I did say the game I played in was a one off to help my mate out, although some of my friends from home are calling for me to set up a County Down team! I might need Eddie to help get us a few sponsors to make that happen!”

DRAFTS FROM THE PAST: The class of 2006.

On life away from the football ground…
“Away from sport I have been good. My main priority after finishing at the Holden Centre was to deal with the condition I had been diagnosed with: Addison's Disease. It really did knock me about physically and mentally but thankfully I am on top of it now and can live a normal life, despite being on daily meds. I'm not sure I’ll ever be able to return to top level GAA (County Down), though.”

On family life…
“Like many of the Collingwood boys I am now a father to beautiful baby girl. Her name is Rose, and she is an absolute darling. Rose is 18 months old and full of energy. I also got married to Anna when I first returned to Ireland in 2014 and we have settled back into life here, despite missing Melbourne and the great times we had there. I am currently one year through a three-year degree in Health and Sport at Queen's University Belfast and do some freelance work in the media and coaching.”

BACK ON TOP: Clarke bounces back after return to Ireland.

On his enduring passion for the Magpies of Collingwood…
“I have watched every Collingwood game this year. I didn't expect to be such a passionate supporter when I retired but I really am. Most sides have their issues with injuries, but I just feel not having Jamie (Elliott), Swanny and now Faz in our forward half really hurts us. All three are capable of kicking forty goals a year and are elite in the air for their size, so not having them makes it slightly easier for opposition teams to restrict our scores. Having played on all three in training, they make it very hard to rebound from defence with their forward pressure so I feel it is a huge loss not having them in the side. I am still hopefully the boys can finish the season strongly and sneak into finals contention.

“I hope to get over to see a game in the next season or two and catch up with some of the great people I met in my six seasons Collingwood."