Irishman Finnbarr Roarty has been signed as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2027 season, with the 20-year-old set to link up with his new teammates in November’s pre-season commencement.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Pies’ newest recruit.

Where has he come from?

Roarty hails from Glenties in County Donegal in the northwest part of Ireland, not far from the Northern Ireland border.

Born in early January of 2006, the 180cm player is on the precipice of turning 21 and has been one of the rising stars of Gaelic football.

What position does he play?

That will be worked through as Roarty undertakes his first AFL pre-season, however there is versatility inherent in his style.

A two-way player during his Gaelic days, Roarty was renowned for his strong defensive output and ability to score after retrieving the ball off his opposition.

Strong for his size and possessing speed in spades, Roarty will be able to occupy a number of positions on the ground.

What are his accolades?

As one of Donegal’s rising stars, Roarty already has many accolades given he is only fresh out of his teenage years.

He made his senior debut as a 17 years old which was found to be not allowed under competition rules, while he has gone on to fill his trophy cabinet in recent years.

Last year he was named the 2025 GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year, while in 2023 and 2024 he earned Ulster Colleges All-Star selection.

How does the Category B rookie system work?

Clubs are allowed six rookies on their list, known as Category A rookies, traditionally reserved for young players, delisted players being given another chance and players in the very last stages of their career.

There is also scope for clubs to have Category B rookies however, with the positions needing to be filled by players who fall under a specific criteria:

• has not registered in an Australian Football competition for three years immediately before inclusion on the Rookie List;
• is an international player, meaning he is not an Australian citizen and has not lived in Australia for a substantial period;
• is a former NSW Scholarship player with that club;
• is a former International Scholarship player with that club;
• is a rookie Zone Selection for clubs based in NSW or Queensland.

Roarty falls under the second category and was eligible to be snapped up by the Pies. There is nuance to the rule however, should the black and white wish to sign another Irish player:

Irish players can be signed directly to a club’s Rookie List under the International Player Rule and do not have to go through the draft. Previously, Irish players could not be listed as Category B rookies but took a spot on the main Rookie List.

Clubs can now list one Irish player as a Category B rookie but for each additional Irish player rookie listed, that player will be deemed to be a Category A rookie and the club will forfeit its last selection in the Rookie Draft for each additional player listed.

Anything else I should know?

Roarty comes from a large family as one of seven children, with the 20-year-old sporting four older siblings and two younger ones.

That fostered a highly competitive environment throughout his upbringing and contributed to the fierce determination he shows on the field.

Roarty also spent time in Chicago in the United States throughout 2026, playing Gaelic.

His Chicago side won their local competition before advancing to the National Championships in Boston where they made the final stage.