FORMER DERRY MINOR captain Conor Glass made his AFL debut for the Hawthorn Hawks this morning, and to considerable acclaim.

Glass signed for Hawthorn in October 2015, and was this week elevated to the club’s senior list and selected in the 22 to face the Dockers at Domain Stadium.

Clarko sends a big congratulations to our first Irish debutant. 🍀🏉



We know @Conor_Glass is excited on the inside. 😂#StrongAsOne pic.twitter.com/er0JymkTWk — Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 22, 2017

The international rookie came off the bench early to star in the Hawks’ 100-48 win over Freemantle, announcing himself with a monstrous tackle before excelling in possession.

Glass completed a team-high 93% of his 15 disposals, claiming eight intercepts and five marks during an impressive maiden outing.

Following the game, the Hawthorn players formed a circle around Glass in the dressing room, producing a rousing rendition of team song before rubbing the Derry man’s foxy locks in unison – for good luck, perhaps.

The 22-year-old hardly required luck on his biggest career moment to date and, from the get-go, Hawthorn fans were seriously impressed by his efforts.

6 touches, 3 marks and a tackle already for our debutant @Conor_Glass, not a bad start for the young fella. 👏🍀#AFLFreoHawks #StrongAsOne pic.twitter.com/GuEEq33NHB — Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) July 22, 2017

Conor looks good in the middle.

If he becomes a permanent fixture you could say that we have a heart of Glass #AFLFreoHawks — Luke Herring (@lhjh70) July 22, 2017

I tell you what, Conor Glass is playing pretty well #AFLFreoHawks — Matt (@mattcampbell23) July 22, 2017

I really like the look of Conor Glass so far. 10 disposals @ 90%, 4 intercepts, 4 score involvements and 4 inside 50s at HT. #AFLFreoHawks — Brandon Marlow (@SauceMarlow) July 22, 2017

Really liking the look of Conor Glass, has good composure for a first gamer and going at 90% efficiency 👏🏼 #AFLFreoHawks — Samantha♡ (@samantha_f33) July 22, 2017

@Conor_Glass a nice second quarter too. Growing in confidence. pic.twitter.com/XDCyGGjRHz — World Footy News (@worldfooty) July 22, 2017

anyone agree @Conor_Glass has earned the right to be in the team again next week? #ConorClass #Clarko300 #AFLFreoHawks — Muzzles ♎ (@MurrayCoyne) July 22, 2017

I like Conor Glass so much more than Heatherley already, he actually knows how to play footy it seems — ryan burton fan acc (@gracextapscott) July 22, 2017

Conor Glass is going to become one of the best players ever. #AFLFreoHawks — Mike Ballard ⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓ (@MIKEBALLARD4) July 22, 2017

Would anyone else agree that Glass has been one of our best five tonight? Lots to like. #AFLFreoHawks — 😡🇨🇦 (@hawknut888) July 22, 2017

Plenty of @HawthornFC fans liking @Conor_Glass debut. 13 disposals to 3/4 time. Some nice length in the kicks that quarter. Hawks 28 pts up pic.twitter.com/LtT73CDPrm — World Footy News (@worldfooty) July 22, 2017

The notorious Conor Glass! Bring out the red panties! @HawthornFC #alwayshawthorn — Will Boyd (@Boydwvh1) July 22, 2017

Glass captained the Oak Leaf minor side to Ulster glory in 2015, and lead them to the All-Ireland semi-final. The Watty Graham’s clubman is joined by Meath native Conor Nash in Hawthorn.

Today’s win keeps the Hawks’ faint finals hopes alive, while a heavy defeat for Freemantle mathematically rules out any hopes the Dockers may have had of making it as far as September.

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