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Ireland announces 25-player squad for August AFL representative match against Australia

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Ireland Names 25-Player Squad for Landmark AFLW Representative Match Against Australia

The full 25-player Irish squad for the August representative match against Australia has been released, featuring nine All-Australians and three club best-and-fairest winners.

"It's always a great honour to represent your country and it's extra special for this group to be the first to represent Ireland in an international game of Australian Rules football." – Coach Colin O'Riordan

Squad Additions and Key Inclusions
  • Premiership players Vikki Wall, Blaithin Bogue, Jen Dunne, and Sinead Goldrick are among the new selections.
  • Gold Coast co-captain Niamh McLaughlin and GWS tall Eilish O’Dowd are included.
  • Sisters Niamh and Grace Kelly, and the Carlton pair Dayna Finn and Erone Fitzpatrick are in the squad.
Squad Composition and Eligibility
  • The entire squad will play, with 16 on the field and an extended interchange of nine (increased from five in regular matches).
  • Players were ineligible if they had not played an AFLW game, excluding the most recent intake of Irish players.
  • Notable omissions include Gold Coast defender Clara Fitzpatrick and Geelong runner Kate Kenny. Swan Julie O'Sullivan (ACL) was reportedly unavailable.

Full Ireland Squad

Player Club County Blaithin Bogue North Melbourne Fermanagh Amy Boyle-Carr Adelaide Donegal Kayleigh Cronin Adelaide Kerry Neasa Dooley Brisbane Kildare Jen Dunne Brisbane Dublin Dayna Finn Carlton Mayo Erone Fitzpatrick Carlton Laois Amy Gavin Mangan North Melbourne Offaly Sinead Goldrick Melbourne Dublin Rachel Kearns Geelong Mayo Grace Kelly Adelaide Mayo Niamh Kelly Adelaide Mayo Tanya Kennedy Sydney Donegal Orlagh Lally Fremantle Meath Niamh Martin Hawthorn Tipperary Aisling McCarthy Fremantle Tipperary Paris McCarthy Sydney Kerry Aine McDonagh Hawthorn Galway Niamh McLaughlin Gold Coast Donegal Aishling Moloney Geelong Tipperary Eilish O'Dowd GWS Leitrim Orla O'Dwyer Brisbane Tipperary Erika O'Shea North Melbourne Cork Sarah Rowe Collingwood Mayo Vikki Wall North Melbourne Meath

Support Staff:

  • Coach: Colin O'Riordan (Sydney)
  • Assistants: Craig Starcevich (Brisbane), Tadhg Kennelly (GWS academy), Áine Tighe (Fremantle), Elise Coventry (Geelong)
  • Chair of selectors: Cora Staunton
  • Football operations: Jess Burger (Collingwood)

Match Details

  • Date and time: August 1 at 4:15pm AEST
  • Venue: North Sydney Oval
  • Rules: Australian Rules (Sherrin)
  • Broadcast: Live on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies, and Binge
  • Tickets: On sale June 24 via Ticketmaster; club and AFL members from 10am AEST, general public from 12pm.
    • Prices: Adult $25, youth (15-17) $15, child (14 and under) $5, family of four $50.

Coach's Full Statement:

"From premiership players to All Australians and club best and fairest winners... We're confident we've selected a team that will match it with the best Australian players."