The Irish made their mark Down Under on the first weekend of the AFLW season.
Both Sinead Goldrick and Ailish Considine enjoyed victories for the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows respectively while despite ending up on the losing side, Niamh Kelly and Aishling McCarthy, in particular, impressed for the West Coast Eagles.
Considine’s Adelaide Crows were convincing 56-18 winners over the Eagles with the Clare woman nailing a late 40 yard mark to round off an impressive individual display. Considine made her debut for the Crows in the 2019 season and has since become a key and prolific player, slotting six goals in her 12 appearances.
Cúlllllllllll Ailish Considine 🤩💯🇮🇪
Another Irish woman on the scoresheet 🏉🔥@CrowsAFLW @Clarelgfa @kilmihilladies @aflwomens @AFLIrelandWomen @gympluscoffee @Duckyc7 #AFLW #AFLWEaglesCrows pic.twitter.com/CsdtZNoKT7
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 30, 2021
The West Coast Eagles were outclassed by the Crows but their Irish contingent couldn’t be faulted with Aishling McCarthy making seven tackles and earning her side’s player of the game award while Niamh Kelly kept her side in the game with an eye-catching goal in the second quarter. The Mayo woman has speed to burn with few able to keep up with her, even at this professional level.
The Aussies can't handle Niamh Kelly's lightning pace ⚡️pic.twitter.com/cNGm9By5ti
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) January 31, 2021
Meanwhile, Dublin’s Sinead Goldrick called two marks as the Melbourne Demons enjoyed a comfortable win over Gold Coast. Her Dublin teammates Niamh McEvoy and Lauren McGee did not play a part for Melbourne having only recently completed their 14 day quarantines.
On Sunday morning, Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer played a crucial role in midfield and kicked a behind as the Brisbane Lions secured a big win over the Richmond Tigers.
No better feeling 😍 pic.twitter.com/Y5W3Ea9DFt
— Brisbane Lions AFLW (@lionsaflw) January 31, 2021
Cora Staunton’s Greater Western Sydney Giants lost out to Fremantle while Mayo’s Aileen Gilroy made 13 disposals as she continued her impressive form for North Melbourne, who hammered the Geelong Cats.
