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Australian rules football in Ireland
Ireland's Mike Finn takes a strong pack mark against South Africa in a 2008 International Cup match
CountryIreland
Governing bodyAFL Ireland
National team(s)Ireland
First played1999, Dublin & Belfast
Registered players~200
Clubs9

In Ireland, Australian rules football (Irish: Peil rialacha na hAstráile) (known locally as "Aussie Rules") began in 1999 when clubs were simultaneously formed in Dublin and Belfast, however awareness of it dates back to the 20th century due to similarities with Gaelic football and hyrbid matches played between Irish and Australian teams. It has subsequently becoming a source of players for professional leagues in Australia, particularly the Australian Football League (AFL) and later the AFL Women's (AFLW) through the Irish Experiment which is ongoing. It attracts a television audience, particularly the AFLW competition (but also the men's AFL) through TG4.[1] There are two governing bodies, AFL Ireland (which is a member of AFL Europe) and AFL Northern Ireland, with teams and competitions in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Killarney. The game in Ireland is typically played in a modified 9-a-side footy format on rectangular fields.

While coexisting with and relying heavily on players from Gaelic games, Ireland has become one of the most decorated nations in Australian rules with the national team, formed in 2001, winning second most men's international titles (2) and most women's international titles (2) as well as the most European Championship titles (2) and Euro Cup women's titles (4). Professional AFL/AFLW players to have represented Ireland internationally include Laura Duryea, Clara Fitzpatrick and Padraig Lucey.

Jim Stynes (the first to win an AFL best and fairest) along with Tadgh Kennelly (first to win an AFL premiership), achieved a level of fame at home and in turn raised the profile of the AFL.[2][3][4] Ailish Considine was the first to win an AFLW premiership achieving similar fame.[5] Current player Zach Tuohy holds the Irish born and raised record for the most games while Jim Stynes holds the record for most goals with 130. Sarah Rowe holds the AFL Women's record for most games and Cora Staunton holds the record for most goals with 55. There were a record 33 Irish players listed with clubs for the 2023 AFLW season.[6]

History

[edit]

One could argue that the Irish have been playing Australian rules as early as the 1870s, as recent evidence suggests that a form of football being played in south western Ireland at the time was played under Victorian rules in a fashion indistinguishable from that of the game played in Australia, and early on it was even played with a rugby ball, with a mark for catching the ball and with upright posts of the Australian game.[7] It is not known how or when the Victorian rules were introduced to Ireland, however its legacy can be found in the written rules of the Commercials Club of County Limerick from the early 1880s which later, along with elements of soccer, formed the basis for Gaelic Football.

Primarily Irish historians analysing accounts of the traditional Irish football caid and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) codified rules against the Melbourne Football Club rules of 1959 and Victorian Rules of 1866 and 1877 and those of other codes appear to strongly indicate that Gaelic football originated as a hybrid of Australian Football and Association Football. Like Australian Football, this was in an effort to differentiate from rugby[8] and was primarily based on the Victorian Rules of 1866 and 1877.[9] For example early codified Gaelic called for Australian rules style behind posts (not present in caid and later removed) with 5 point goals scoring (later changed to 3) and 1 point "behind"s all borrowed from Australian Rules, and Rule 27 in reference to kicking styles, Rule 15 relating to foul play and rules dictating playing equipment appear to be directly borrowed from the Victorian Rules. Early Victorian Rules was played with also a round ball until the introduction of the Sherrin in the 1880s. Other than the directly copied rules, analysts argue that so many of the rules are so similar to the Victorian Rules that the GAA must have obtained a deep knowledge of these laws. In any case the Irish game has been gradually evolving closer the Australian game since and as recently as 2017 with the GAA's introduced "the mark" from Australian Football, one of the game's other distinctive to encourage more spectacular aerial contests.[10]

Irish involvement in the early game in Australia

[edit]

Irish have been involved in the game since its earliest days in Australia. Thomas H. Smith of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan[11] was involved in the formation of the Melbourne Football club from 1858 and the drafting of the first rules for the code in 1859.[12]

One of the founders of the St Kilda Football Club in 1873, J.J. Casey, was from Tromroe, County Clare.[13]

The Colony of Queensland's first club, the Brisbane Football Club in 1880s had a prominent Irish component, as such its early presidents Joshua Peter Bell and Kevin Izod O'Doherty were from Kildare and Dublin respectively.

Early interactions with Australian rules

[edit]

In the 1920s, the GAA and Australasian Football Council were becoming increasingly aware of each other's growing global footprint and the first test matches between the two countries were proposed though were never contested with correspondence occurring between the two sporting bodies.[14]

First efforts to introduce the code into Ireland

[edit]

The Australian High Commissioner to Ireland, Mr Mulrooney of the Canberra Australian Football Association attempted to introduce Australian Football to Dublin in 1946.[15]

The similarity between the codes eventually raised the awareness in Ireland of the Australian sport.[16] Certainly this awareness has grown substantially since the first International rules football tests took place in late 1967, however Aussie Rules was not officially played in Ireland until clubs were simultaneously formed in Dublin and Belfast in 1999.[citation needed]

Australian Football World Tour

[edit]
Main article: Australian Football World Tour

In 1967, Harry Beitzel drew inspiration from watching the 1966 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final on television and formed an Australian side, nicknamed "The Galahs", to play the game against an Irish side. The next year he organised the Australian Football World Tour, a six-match series with games played against Irish teams in Ireland, the United Kingdom and United States of America. What followed was the beginning of regular interaction between the two codes which was to become the hybrid code of International rules football played in both countries and facilitating the cross code competition.[citation needed]

Irish experiment

[edit]
Main article: Irish experiment (Australian rules football)
Statue of the late Jim Stynes unveiled in 2014. Stynes is considered a pioneer and one of the greats from Ireland having won the 1991 Brownlow Medal, and played 264 AFL games

Ron Barassi, drawing comparisons between Australian rules football and Gaelic football was of the opinion that Gaelic footballers could provide a previously untapped pool of potential Australian Rules players.[17] As a result, wealthy Victorian clubs were scouting Ireland for new talent. In 1982, Barassi (then the Melbourne VFL club coach) and his recruiting team including Melbourne's Barry Richardson travelled to Ireland, looking for young, tall, and talented players.[18] Over the following years, a number of Irish athletes made the journey to Australia to play professionally in Australia. Players were found not only from Gaelic football codes, but other sports including hurling and rugby. Some, including Jim Stynes, Tadgh Kennelly and Martin Clarke, achieved a level of fame in Ireland either going on to careers in Australia or returning home to achieve success in their sports at home and along with the International Rules Series, increase the profile and awareness of the Australian game.[19][20][21]

Formation of the ARFLI and national team

[edit]

Two clubs, in Dublin and Belfast, recruited and trained through the winter of 1999 and played a number of British Aussie rules clubs in challenge matches in early spring 2000. The Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) was formed in October 2000 after the first ever Irish Grand Final was contested between them. The following year, players from the clubs were drawn to form the first national team.[citation needed]

Growth and expansion

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In the 2010s, the women's game grew rapidly and the first national team was established and players began to make their way to women's leagues in Australia.

By 2014, the league had grown to more than 200 players and expanded to six men's clubs and three women's clubs.

Competitions and Clubs

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class=notpageimage|
Location map of current clubs across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Competitions

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Active competition
Competition Founded Notes
Australian Rules Football League of Ireland Premiership 2001 ARFLI website

Clubs

[edit]
Active club
Club Location Founded Notes
Belfast Redbacks City of Belfast (Mallusk) Playing Fields, Mallusk, County Antrim, Belfast 2010 Belfast Redbacks
Cork Vikings (womens) Tramore Valley Park, Cork 2020 Cork Vikings
Galway Magpies South Park, Galway 2010 Galway Magpies
Kerry Suns Tralee Sports Complex, Killarney 2021 Kerry Suns
Leeside Lions Tramore Valley Park, Cork 2001 Leeside Lions
South Dublin Swans Memorial Park, Kilmainham, Dublin 2006 South Dublin Swans
Ulster Kookaburras (womens) Queen's University Malone Playing Fields, Belfast 2021 Ulster Kookaburras
Ulster Wolfhounds Queen's University Malone Playing Fields, Belfast 2021

National teams

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Ireland in 2008, the team won the Australian Football International Cup in 2002 and 2011.
Ireland's women's team playing in the women's division in 2011

Ireland's national team competes internationally at the Australian Football International Cup, AFL Europe Championship and Euro Cup.

History

[edit]

An Irish National Aussie rules team, drawn from all ARFLI affiliated clubs headed to London between 6–15 October to take part in the Atlantic Alliance Cup 2001 – a five nations International competition with United States, Canada, Great Britain and Denmark providing the opposition. A final panel of 24 players, whittled down from 60 over a three-month training period made the trip. Ireland, playing their first ever competitive International matches, won all their games in the round robin series and went on to record a win against Denmark (pre-tournament favourites) in the Grand Final. This was a huge achievement for such a young league against teams from leagues that had been established for ten years plus.[original research?] Darren Fitzpatrick of Kilkenny, who previously played Aussie Rules at a professional level with the Western Bulldogs in Australia, coached the team.[citation needed]

In August 2002, the National team attended the Australian Football International Cup (an Amateur World Cup for nations outside of Australia). The team went into the competition as third seeds behind Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. The competition was a success for Ireland as they beat Canada, Samoa, USA, South Africa and New Zealand in the group stage and went on to beat PNG in a televised final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The team which was again coached by Darren Fitzpatrick, and was captained by Michael Johnston.[citation needed]

In 2005, the "Green Machine" again attended the Australian Football International Cup. With injuries and late withdrawals, the team managed a fourth place behind New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and USA.[citation needed]

Jim Stynes' brother David coached the 2014 national side hoping to defend the title[22] however the side failed to defeat Papua New Guinea in the final.

The men's side was considered favourites going into the 2017 international cup,[23] thought they finished in 3rd place.[citation needed]

Governing body and participation

[edit]

The governing body is AFL Ireland. Formerly it was the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) until the league affiliated with the AFL Commission.

As of 2014, there were more than 200 senior players and in 6 men's clubs and 3 women's clubs.[citation needed]

Media coverage

[edit]

The sport, and International Rules has been covered in the media for many years, though it was only in 2010 that there has been regular AFL coverage on television through TG4. The and also in the media, including the International Rules Series. In 2021 the AFLW began showing on TG4.[24]

Current issues

[edit]

The sport in Ireland faces constant struggle, due to the massive popularity of the indigenous and similar sport of Gaelic football which discourages professionalism.[original research?]

A controversial International Rules series in 2005 may have irreparably damaged[original research?] the reputation of the code in Ireland,[original research?] however the continued export of Gaelic football converts to Aussie Rules ensures that the sport continues to have a small following in Ireland.[original research?]

Proximity to Great Britain and mainland Europe, where there are fairly strong Aussie Rules leagues gives teams from Ireland the opportunity to regularly participate in international competition and remain competitive through access to Gaelic football players.[original research?]

Players

[edit]
See also: List_of_Football_Code_Converts § Gaelic_football_to_Australian_rules_football, and Category:Irish players of Australian rules football

Australia has recruited several Irish Gaelic footballers to play Aussie Rules. As Gaelic football is primarily amateur competition and the AFL competition is professional, there is a strong financial lure.[citation needed]

Notable male players

[edit]

The following is a list of players who registered senior matches in the AFL and played the sport professionally including their key statistics.

Currently on an AFL senior list
Player AFL Years* AFL Matches* AFL Goals* Club/s Connections to Ireland, References
Oisín Mullin 2023- 18 0 Geelong Raised in Kilmaine. Played gaelic football with Mayo GAA.[25]
Callum Brown 2021- 42 42 Greater Western Sydney Raised in Limavady. Played gaelic football with Derry GAA.[26]
James Madden 2021-2024 13 1 Brisbane Lions Raised in Dublin. Played gaelic football with Dublin GAA minors.[27]
Anton Tohill 2019-2021 1 0 Collingwood Born and raised in Swatragh. Played gaelic football with Derry GAA.[27]
Mark Keane 2019- 31 0 Collingwood, Adelaide Raised in County Cork. Played gaelic football with Cork GAA.[28]
Darragh Joyce 2019-2024 24 0 St Kilda, Brisbane Lions Raised in Kilkenny. Played hurling and gaelic football with Kilkenny GAA.[27]
Conor Nash 2017- 98 17 Hawthorn Raised in Athlumney Village, Navan. Played gaelic football with County Meath and rugby for Navan at Leinster[29]
Mark O'Connor 2017- 122 9 Geelong Born and raised in Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle). Played gaelic football with Kerry GAA minors.[30]
Conor Glass 2016-2020 21 2 Hawthorn Raised in Glen, County Donegal played gaelic football for Derry GAA minors.[31]
Conor McKenna 2015- 123 27 Essendon, Brisbane Lions Born in County Tyrone, raised in Benburb and played gaelic football with Tyrone GAA.[32][33]
Colin O'Riordan 2015-2022 34 1 Sydney Born Templemore. Played gaelic football with Tipperary GAA minors.[34]
Zak Jones 2014-2018 132 34 Sydney, St Kilda Parent[35]
Ciarán Byrne 2014-2018 22 0 Carlton Raised in Louth. Played gaelic football with Louth GAA[36][37]
Ciarán Sheehan 2014-2016 6 0 Carlton Born and raised in Farran. Played gaelic football with Cork GAA minors [38]
Aidan Corr 2013- 162 3 Greater Western Sydney, North Melbourne Born Brockagh[39]
Caolan Mooney 2012-2014 6 2 Collingwood Raised in Rostrevor. Played gaelic football for Down GAA[40]
Tommy Walsh 2012-2014 5 3 Sydney Born Tralee. Played gaelic football with Kerry GAA[41]
Zach Tuohy 2011-2024 288 100 Carlton, Geelong Born Portlaoise. Played gaelic football with Portlaoise and Laios.[42]
Niall McKeever 2010-2013 22 2 Brisbane Lions Born and raised in Portglenone. Played gaelic football for Antrim GAA.[43]
Jamie O'Reilly 2010-2011 4 0 Richmond Raised in Loughinisland. Played gaelic football for Down GAA minors.[44]
Michael Quinn 2009-2011 8 2 Essendon Born and raised in Killoe. Played gaelic football with Longford GAA.[45]
Liam Shiels 2009-2024 288 97 Hawthorn, North Melbourne Parent[35]
Pearce Hanley 2008-2020 169 60 Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Raised in Ballaghaderreen. Played gaelic football with Mayo GAA.[46]
Martin Clarke 2007-2014 73 19 Collingwood Born Newry. Played gaelic football with Down GAA minors.[47]
Nathan Jones 2006-2021 302 141 Melbourne Parent[35]
Colm Begley 2006-2009 30 7 Brisbane Lions, St Kilda Born Portlaoise, raised in Stradbally. Played gaelic football with Laois GAA.[48]
Setanta Ó hAilpín 2005-2013 88 82 Carlton, Greater Western Sydney Raised in Cork. Played gaelic football and hurling with Cork GAA.[49]
Tadhg Kennelly 2001-2011 197 30 Sydney Born Listowel. Played gaelic football with Kerry GAA.[50]
Brian Stynes 1992 2 0 Melbourne Born Dublin. Played gaelic football with Dublin GAA.[51]
Dermot McNicholl 1990 3 0 St Kilda Born Glenullin. Played gaelic football with Derry GAA.[52]
Jim Stynes 1987-1998 264 130 Melbourne Born Dublin. Played gaelic football with Dublin GAA.[53]
Dermott Brereton 1982-1995 211 464 Hawthorn Parents from Dublin[54]
Paul Earley 1983 1 1 Melbourne Born Roscommon. Played gaelic football Roscommon[55]
Sean Wight 1984-1995 150 63 Melbourne Mother. Raised in Listowel. Played gaelic football for Kerry. Melbourne's first Irish recruit. Had a serviceable career at Melbourne.[56][57]
Stuart Magee 1962-1975 216 149 South Melbourne, Footscray Born in Belfast[58]
Stuart Hamilton 1943-1947 58 12 Hawthorn Born and raised in Carrickfergus[59]
Jock McHale 1903-1920 261 18 Collingwood Parents[60]
Fred Scott 1899-1904 50 36 Essendon, Collingwood Born in Ulster.[61]
Denis Lanigan 1897-1899 41 6 Collingwood, Melbourne, Carlton Born County Tipperary.
Bob Kenny 1899 2 0 St Kilda Born Carrickmacross.[62]
Bill Ahern 1897 1 0 Carlton Born County Cork.

Notable female players

[edit]
Currently on an AFLW senior list
Player Club/s AFLW Years* AFLW Matches* AFLW Goals* Connections to Ireland, References
Amy Boyle-Carr Adelaide 2024- - - Raised in Glenties[63]
Lauren McConville Gold Coast 2024- - - Raised in County Armagh[64]
Kate Kenny Geelong 2024- 2 1 Raised in County Offaly[65]
Eilish O'Dowd Greater Western Sydney 2024- 1 2 Raised in Ballinamore, recruited from Dublin[66]
Muireann Atkinson Collingwood 2024- 1 0 Raised in County Monaghan[67]
Joanne Cregg Fremantle 2023- 8 0 Raised in County Roscommon
Orlagh Lally Fremantle 2023- 17 4 Raised in County Meath
Amy Mulholland Fremantle 2023- 17 1 Raised in County Armagh
Jennifer Dunne Brisbane 2023- 11 0 Raised in County Dublin
Cara McCrossan Gold Coast 2023- 4 0 Raised in County Tyrone
Niamh McLaughlin Gold Coast 2023- 11 4 Raised in County Donegal
Tanya Kennedy Sydney 2023- 12 0 Raised in County Donegal
Paris McCarthy Sydney 2023- 6 0 Raised in County Kerry
Julie O'Sullivan Sydney 2023- 10 0 Raised in County Kerry
Dayna Finn Carlton 2023- 5 0 Raised in County Mayo
Erone Fitzpatrick Carlton 2023- 10 6 Raised in County Laois
Aishling Moloney Geelong 2023- 13 10 Raised in County Tipperary
Anna Rose Kennedy Geelong 2023- 1 0 Raised in County Tipperary
Aimee Mackin Melbourne 2023- 6 2 Raised in County Armagh
Niamh Martin North Melbourne 2023- 7 1 Raised in County Tipperary
Áine Tighe Fremantle 2022- 29 23 Raised in County Leitrim
Vicki Wall North Melbourne 2022- 13 6 Raised in County Meath
Blaithin Mackin Hawthorn 2022- 10 2 Raised in County Armagh
Aine McDonagh Hawthorn 2022- 7 4 Raised in County Galway
Erika O'Shea North Melbourne 2022- 10 - Raised in County Cork
Bríd Stack Greater Western Sydney 2022- 19 1 Born and raised in Cork, County Cork
Orla O'Dwyer Brisbane 2020- 55 21 Raised in County Tipperary
Aileen Gilroy North Melbourne, Hawthorn 2020- 48 7 Born and raised in Killala, County Mayo
Aishling Sheridan Collingwood 2020- 47 15 Raised in County Cavan
Sinéad Goldrick Melbourne 2020- 43 - Raised in County Cavan
Niamh Kelly West Coast, Adelaide 2020- 43 12 Raised in County Mayo
Grace Kelly West Coast, St Kilda 2020- 33 9 Raised in County Mayo
Rachel Kearns Geelong 2020- 14 2 Raised in County Mayo
Clara Fitzpatrick St Kilda, Gold Coast 2020- 20 0 Raised in County Down
Joanne Doonan Carlton, Essendon 2020- 11 1 Raised in County Fermanagh
Niamh McEvoy Melbourne 2020-2021 8 1 Raised in Malahide, County Dublin
Katy Herron Western Bulldogs 2020-2021 6 0 Raised in County Donegal
Sarah Rowe Collingwood 2019- 53 12 Born and raised in Ballina, County Mayo[68]
Ailish Considine Adelaide, North Melbourne 2019- 27 9 Raised in County Clare
Yvonne Bonner Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide 2019- 12 9 Raised in County Donegal
Kate Flood Fremantle 2019-2020 7 5 Raised in County Louth
Cora Staunton Greater Western Sydney 2018-2022 (S7) 50 55 Raised in Carnacon, County Mayo[69]
Laura Duryea Melbourne 2016-2018 11 - Raised in Drumlane, Belturbet and Milltown, County Cavan[70][71]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Cora effect: What's behind the explosion of Irish AFLW interest?by Gemma Bastiani 4 May 2023
  2. ^ The late great Jim Stynes made us imagine what is possible by Brian Fitzpatrick for IrishCentral. 29 March 2012
  3. ^ JIM STYNES AND TADHG KENNELLY NAMED AMONG GREATEST IRISH AFL TEAM from Kildare Nationalist. 13 August 2021
  4. ^ Marty Clarke given bigger role as AFL continue to eye gaelic footballers By Pat Nolan for the Irish Mirror. 21 March 2018
  5. ^ Two-time Grand Final winner Ailish Considine on AFL uncertainty, her latest success and her future By Michael Scully for the Irish Mirror 5 May 2022
  6. ^ record number of imports from Ireland will feature with the oval ball this year by Maurice Brosnan for the Irish Examiner 31 August 2023
  7. ^ Corrigan, Eoghan (2009). The History of Gaelic Football : the Definitive History of Gaelic Football from 1873. Dublin: Gill Books. ISBN 978-0-7171-6369-4. OCLC 1013828570.
  8. ^ Did Aussie Rules Get There First? from Irish Daily Mail 25 October 2016
  9. ^ Towards a Philosophy for Legislation in Gaelic Games Lennon, Joe. Dublin City University 1993. Pg 633, 638, 649, 658, 759
  10. ^ Gaelic football introduces AFL-style mark By Vince Rugar
  11. ^ pg 36. Melbourne FC, Since 1858 - An Illustrated History. Geoff Slattery Publishing 2008
  12. ^ "ATHLETIC SPORTS". The Australasian. Vol. XX, no. 517. Victoria, Australia. 26 February 1876. p. 13. Retrieved 31 December 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "DEATH OF MR. J. J. CASEY". Bendigo Advertiser. Vol. LXI, no. 17, 989. Victoria, Australia. 7 April 1913. p. 5. Retrieved 14 August 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "AUSTRALIAN AND GAELIC CODES". The Australasian. Vol. CXXI, no. 4, 048. Victoria, Australia. 31 July 1926. p. 41 (METROPOLITAN EDITION). Retrieved 1 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Our Football In Eire?". The Herald. No. 21, 708. Victoria, Australia. 16 December 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 21 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "AUSTRALIAN AND GAELIC CODES". The Australasian. Vol. CXXI, no. 4, 048. Victoria, Australia. 31 July 1926. p. 41 (METROPOLITAN EDITION). Retrieved 1 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Barassi named No. 1". 15 March 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  18. ^ Tall, skinny kid with an Irish suntan by Martin Blake for The Age. March 21, 2012
  19. ^ The late great Jim Stynes made us imagine what is possible by Brian Fitzpatrick for IrishCentral. 29 March 2012
  20. ^ JIM STYNES AND TADHG KENNELLY NAMED AMONG GREATEST IRISH AFL TEAM from Kildare Nationalist. 13 August 2021
  21. ^ Marty Clarke given bigger role as AFL continue to eye gaelic footballers By Pat Nolan for the Irish Mirror. 21 March 2018
  22. ^ "David Stynes' Team out to defend AFL International Cup". independent.ie. 7 August 2014.
  23. ^ "Meet Ireland's players in the Aussie Rules World Cup". irishtimes.com. 29 July 2017.
  24. ^ "Irish women in Oz: TG4 to show women's Australian football". farmersjournal.ie. 27 January 2021.
  25. ^ Oisín Mullin extends AFL stay by signing two-year extension with Geelong Cats by Gordon Manning for Irish Times 18 March 2024
  26. ^ AFL star Callum Brown still dreaming of All-Ireland glory with Limavady and Derry By Ahmer Khokhar for Irish News 20 February 2024
  27. ^ a b c The reasons why GAA players are turning their back on Aussie Rules By Karl O'Kane for Irish Mirror 18 January 2022
  28. ^ The players ensuring the ‘Irish experiment’ continues to endure as new AFL season begins by Donnchadh Boyle for The Independent 15 March 2022
  29. ^ Conor Nash Interview... 'It's living the dream but it only lasts for so long' by Jimmy Geoghegan for Meath Chronicle 27 Oct 2022
  30. ^ Kerry club the big winner as American lady bags a house in Dingle GAA’s ‘Win a Home’ draw by Declan Malone & Joan Maguire for The Independent 13 Oct 2022
  31. ^ How Conor Glass changed the whole landscape of Gaelic football in Derry bu Lee Costello for Sports Joe Ireland 18 January 2023
  32. ^ "Tyrone man Conor McKenna to make Aussie Rules debut". BBC Sport. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  33. ^ O'Toole, Jack (14 June 2017). "'He's got some real talent' — Aussie Rules star on Conor McKenna's rise in the AFL and his peculiar diet". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  34. ^ Colin O'Riordan forced to call time on AFL career by Patrick Mulcahy for Irish Examiner 29 August 2022
  35. ^ a b c "2021 AFL Players Association Multicultural Map". AFLPA. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  36. ^ 20 Questions: Ciaran Byrne from Hoganstand 26 January 2016
  37. ^ 'I was just mad to come home and play for Louth again' by Alan Waldron for The Independent 29 December 2018
  38. ^ Ciaran Sheehan Has Fought His Way Back Into The AFL After Injury Hit 3 Years By Gavin O'Callaghan for Balls Ireland 29 June 2017
  39. ^ "Aidan's the latest Irish face in the AFL". Irish Echo. 2 May 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  40. ^ I’m lucky the punch that left me in hospital for more than a week wasn’t ‘lights out’, says Down’s Caolan Mooney by Donnchadh Boyle for the Belfast Telegraph 11 November 2022
  41. ^ Keys, Colm (9 January 2008). "10 To Watch In 2008". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
  42. ^ Poised to make history in Australia but Zach Tuohy still has a grá for Laois by Gordon Manning for Irish Times 5 July 2023
  43. ^ McKeever back in Antrim championship team following AFL spell with Brisbane Lions from the42 Ireland 29 May 2014
  44. ^ Life of O'Reilly? AFL to amateur GAA can be hard switch By Niall McCoy for RTE Ireland 7 January 2022
  45. ^ Michael Quinn on life after the AFL and life with Longford from The 42 Ireland. 25 May 2013
  46. ^ Pearce Hanley's underrated AFL career, injury struggles and prospects of Mayo return from The 42 Ireland. 6 September 2020
  47. ^ ‘I struggled to accept the change' - Martin Clarke on the diagnosis that forced him out of high-level sport by Donnchadh Boyle for the Irish Independent 15 March 2021
  48. ^ Begley called into Brisbane Lions squad from RTE News Ireland. 14 June 2007
  49. ^ Setanta: 'I'm never going back to Ireland' by Irish Post 23 November 2012
  50. ^ Tadhg Kennelly inducted into Sydney Swans Hall of Fame by Neil Treacy for Sports Joe Ireland 19 March 2015
  51. ^ ALL-IRELAND IN ‘95 WAS MY SPORTING HIGHLIGHT: BRIAN STYNES from Dublin GAA 22 July 2020
  52. ^ 'Our pre-seasons were brutal. I’ve never gone through anything like it in my life' from The 42 Ireland. 25 December 2018
  53. ^ "Meet the Irish Who Influenced the World" from Senior Times Ireland January-February edition 2018 pg. 57
  54. ^ Robinson, Mark (22 May 2010). "Dermott Brereton on heartbreak and his violent father's cocaine abuse". Herald Sun. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  55. ^ Paul Earley believes Oisín Mullin has skills to succeed in Australia despite late start by Seán Moran for The Irish Times 12 November 2021
  56. ^ Sean Wight the forgotten Kerry hero by Donal Barry for Kerry Sports Hub Ireland 21 March 2020
  57. ^ A giant, a gent and a friend from The Independent 6 July 2011
  58. ^ Brosnan, Maurice. "A bit of luck and lots of hard work: how to build a life on the other side of the world". The42. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  59. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 357. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
  60. ^ James Francis McHale (1881–1953) by R. Stremski. Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10 , 1986
  61. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2009). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (8th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 749. ISBN 978-1-921496-00-4.
  62. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2014). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (10th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 474. ISBN 978-1-921496-32-5.
  63. ^ McNulty, Chris (22 December 2017). "Amy Boyle-Car joins ever-growing Donegal contingent in Ireland senior squad". Donegal Woman. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  64. ^ Armagh’s Lauren McConville to make AFLW debut for Gold Coast Suns By Ahmer Khokhar for Irish News 12 September 2024
  65. ^ Offaly's footballer joins Irish exodus to Australian Women's football league by John O'Callaghan for the Offaly Express 14 March 2024
  66. ^ Eilish O'Dowd scores fastest ever AFLW goal on debut from Irish Examiner 31 August 2024
  67. ^ AFLW Coach Surprises Up And Coming Irish Star With Unique Debut Message By Joshua Bell Curran for Balls Ireland 27 August 2024
  68. ^ "Sport has added a new dimension to my life; one that doesn't focus on how I look". www.independent.ie. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  69. ^ Cora Staunton makes football history in Australia from Connaught Telegraph 10 Jan 2022
  70. ^ "Cavan midfielder Laura Corrigan ready to make history in Aussie Rules". www.irishtimes.com. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  71. ^ "Fitness, food and 4-hour training sessions: A day in the life of Ireland's newest AFL star". www.the42.ie. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
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