Martin Clarke Biography

Marty Clarke a part-time role with the AFL to mentor Gaelic football prospects in his native Ireland.

"The statistics are there that the boys that go out to Australia are only a tiny percentage of registered GAA players, and in the last 30 years, there's only been 50 prospects come over," Clarke said.

"The vast majority of those boys have come back within three years and are bigger and better players for their clubs and counties.

"And AFL clubs know it's very high risk to take on an Irish boy, but the chance of getting a Zach Tuohy, Tadhg Kennelly, Jim Stynes and Pearce Hanley is a great temptation."

Marty Clarke has revealed he was diagnosed with a rare energy-sapping disease as he fought to save his AFL career in the second half of 2014.

"It's a fairly serious disease and I'm just getting on top of it at the moment," Clarke said.

"You're just drained of all energy when your adrenal glands shut off and I find it difficult to lift myself above the pack.

"The Collingwood medical staff were great and I'm relieved to have been diagnosed back in July, because some mornings I'd walk up the stairs and then I'd need a lie down, so now it's treatable with medication."

Irish Magpie duo Caolan Mooney and Marty Clarke have ended their AFL careers, with both set to return to Ireland.

Mooney, who played six games with the Magpies after making an impressive debut against Fremantle in round 14, 2012 posted a tweet on Wednesday night that he had decided to return to Ireland.

Reports from Ireland also suggested Clarke was set to return to his home country, completing a 73-game career with the Magpies that began in 2007. His departure was subsequently confirmed by Collingwood on Thursday morning.

Marty Clarke will miss the remainder of 2013 after ankle surgery for ligaments he injured while playing for the Magpies' VFL team against Williamstown.

"Marty underwent surgery last week and the damage to ligaments in his ankle was unfortunately worse than first thought," Magpies director of football Rodney Eade said.

"As a result, he will miss the rest of this year. It does mean, though, that he will be fully recovered and ready once pre-season starts."

Irish Magpie Marty Clarke spent Christmas in Australia after a disappointing end to 2012 when he was dropped after round 21 and missed out on playing finals with his teammates.

"With the way I finished last season, I didn't play any games from round 21 and missed the most important part of the season, so I stayed back and focused on things to work on over here," Clarke said.

"When you see the boys playing big finals you want to be a part of it but I couldn't force my way in.

"It leaves me very hungry for this year but certainly on reflection I wouldn't have been overly happy with last year. I guess it started well but I wasn't able to build on that."

Collingwood expects to see a better season from Marty Clarke in 2013, after a year reacquainting himself with the game.

Marty, just towards the end started to lose his form, and missed out on the finals but he played 17 games and in many ways, it was a positive year," ootball and coaching strategist Rodney Eade said.

"He's got areas he needs to work on, and knowing the work he puts in, I've got no doubt he'll get through that.

"I would like to think he'd improve again next year and become a good player for us."

Martin Clarke is relishing his chance to start again for Collingwood but is not resting on his laurels even with the mounting injury toll.

"I don't think I'm in a position to be saying I've cemented my position in this team at all, no way," Clarke said.

"Every week I'm learning a bit more and every training I'm asking more questions and starting to feel more comfortable again.

"Everyone needs to play their best and give their all, and I don't think one player could say I'm guaranteed my place. That's not the way it works."

Greater maturity has made Martin Clarke determined to capitalise on his second stint with Collingwood.

"I know this is where I want to be, and this is where you have to earn the right from week to week," he said.

"For now, life in Australia is where I want to be and I want to give my all to the Collingwood football club. I've no second thoughts at all.

"You could say I've matured a bit as well. I think as a 24-year-old, you have to be a bit more mature and settled.

"Certainly I know the importance of giving my all this time, and it's not as big an adventure now because I know the place pretty well and what it takes."

Mick Malthouse believes Collingwood recruit Marty Clarke will be a better player in his second stint at the Magpies.

"He's a ripping young bloke. Marty Clarke is one of those blokes you just love having around, he's a delightful young man," Malthouse said.

"I wouldn't call it a punt, he's played close to 50 games and it's not as if he's been inactive. He's been playing at the highest level you possibly can in Ireland and quite frankly I don't think we understand this, but he's a superstar over there. He really is an absolute superstar."

Collingwood has completed a trade with Greater Western Sydney that brings Irishman Martin Clarke back to the Magpies.

Clarke was pre-listed by the Giants as part of their list establishment rules allowing them to pre-list players that have either previously been part of a club or have nominated for the national draft.

Martin Clarke has decided against seeking a new contract with Collingwood to instead pursue studies and Gaelic football in his home country.

"My decision to return home was not an easy one," Clarke wrote on collingwoodfc.com.au.

"But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much ... I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again.

"I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage."

Marty Clarke has been cleared of tripping, and has avoided investigation despite touching an umpire.