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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>WIRED FOR SOUND: Noah Byrne of Ireland arrives ahead of the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match against Italy. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile</p>

rugby

Irish rugby prospect set to sign for Brisbane Lions, Irish duo to trial with Richmond

Noah Byrne previously represented Dublin as a minor and played for Ireland in the 2026 U20 Six Nations.

<p>Oliver Greeves of the Hawks is tackled by Kerryman Cillian Burke of the Cats during the 2026 VFL Grand Final. Pic: Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty Images</p>

gaa

GAA player recruitment 'top of the agenda' in AFL talks

<p> Kobe McDonald will return to Australia in early November and then come back to Ireland for his brother Jordan's wedding. Pic: Andres Poveda</p>

gaa

Jordan Flynn: Mayo are ‘milking it for everything we can'

Tom Parsons 19/2/2026

gaa

Tom Parsons urges GAA and Government to support players who turn down AFL contracts

Sydney Swans Press Conference

columnists

Jack Anderson: Sydney Swans scandal puts AFL culture under scrutiny again

Kobe McDonald and Aidan O'Shea 26/7/2026

gaa

Kobe McDonald: 'I was very emotional, probably never cried as much in all my life'

Kobe McDonald with fans 26/7/2026

Five AFL clubs circle Dublin minor star as Kobe McDonald heads for Australia

Another AFL club, Richmond Tigers, are set to arrive in Ireland later this month with the aim of signing a category B rookie like McDonald.

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Kerry v Mayo - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final

S Jack Anderson: How will Kobe McDonald fit into the AFL?

Getting used to the training load, learning how to hold and kick the oval ball and the sheer physicality of the game and its tackling will be more than enough for him to get used to for now

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Kerry v Mayo - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final

GAA in talks to limit numbers leaving Ireland for AFL - report

The GAA is seeking to restrict the number of players who can be signed from each county

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Kerry v Mayo - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final

Kobe McDonald: Teenage phenom on Mayo's All-Ireland glory, and setting his AFL sights high

McDonald doesn't want to 'just blend in' at St Kilda. 'That's not my nature,' he said. 'You obviously strive to be the best, strive to be one of the best at least'

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Dingle v St Brigid's - AIB GAA Football Senior Club Championship Final

Kerry's Mark O'Connor weighing up AFL future amid contract talks

The 29-year-old's contract at Geelong expires at the end of the AFL season. He has held contract discussions with the Cats, and other clubs are said to be interested.

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Waterford v Dublin - Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Round 3

Waterford's Kellyann Hogan: 'Being a professional athlete, I don't think it will be a long-term thing'

Waterford play Kerry in this weekend's Munster final

Wed, 20 May, 2026

AFL Rd 9 - Geelong v Collingwood

Geelong coach Scott on Oisín Mullin: 'He is becoming quite a complete player'

Geelong coach Chris Scott also said it is possible Kerry's Cillian Burke could soon play senior football for the club. Scott called Burke a "physical specimen".

Mon, 11 May, 2026

AFL Rd 11 - Geelong v GWS

'Irish off-season' has Mark O'Connor well prepped for AFL campaign

Geelong boss Chris Scott described Oisín Mullin as a "supreme athlete"

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Armagh v Mayo - Electric Ireland GAA Football All Ireland Minor Championship Semi-Final

'St Kilda are very sound': Andy Moran explains Mayo plan for Kobe McDonald

Andy Moran said the AFL-bound Kobe McDonald could line out with Mayo this season. Though, he will be taking it slowly with the teenage star.

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Cork v Kerry - TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Round 2

Cork dual star Aoife Healy signs AFLW deal

It has also been confirmed that Waterford footballer Emma Murray has joined Geelong

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

Fionn O’Hara interview: An AFL dream dies, leaving pro rugby after one day, seeing sport anew

S Fionn O’Hara interview: An AFL dream dies, leaving pro rugby after one day, seeing sport anew

When the dream of a life in pro sport dies, it dies fast and hits hard. Fionn O'Hara is a multi-talented footballer and rugby player, but there was always going to be a steep learning curve for a 'strong-willed' young man when he went after an AFL career. He spoke to Maurice Brosnan

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Cork v Kerry - Dalata Hotel Group Munster GAA Football U20 Championship Final

Rising Kerry star set for AFL visit amid signing fears

Brisbane Lions are one of two clubs understood to be in discussions with Austin Stacks and Kerry midfielder Ben Murphy

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

Oisin Mullin and Matt Ruane 7/12/2019

‘The 20 best players’: Irish AFL combine return is on the cards

Geelong executive general manager Andrew Mackie said Kerryman Mark O'Connor is amid "career-best" form for the club.

Wed, 18 Jun, 2025

Geelong Cats Training Session

'Living with Mark, he's been a huge help': Kerry's Cillian Burke settling in Down Under

After 10 months out, Cillian Burke made his debut in Geelong colours in a VFL match against Gold Coast Suns last weekend. He also kicked his first goal for the club.

Wed, 11 Jun, 2025

Australia v Ireland - Virgin Australia International Rules Series 2nd Test

AFL chief: There is a will and a want on both sides to explore International Rules return

There has been rising speculation in Australia that a comeback is on the cards for International Rules.

Tue, 18 Mar, 2025

Armagh v Kerry - Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 2 Final

AFLW is far from the greatest threat to Ladies’ football

Players are leaving inter-county football for reasons other than to play in the AFLW.

Tue, 28 Jan, 2025

Kayleigh Cronin 13/8/2023

Kerry All-Ireland winner Kayleigh Cronin set for AFLW move

The Irish Examiner understands that Carlton are set to announce two Irish signings shortly, Clare’s Siofra Ní Chonaill and Aisling Reidy.

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Kildare v Meath - EirGrid Leinster GAA Football U20 Championship Semi-Final

S Pieces fall into place for Eamonn Armstrong as AFL clubs tweak Irish recruitment

How Irish players make their way to AFL clubs is constantly evolving.

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

AFLW Grand Final - Brisbane v Melbourne

Footballers could soon have championship and AFLW dilemma

The scheduling of the AFLW season and the ladies football championship has previously allowed players to participate in both competitions.

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

AFL Rd 24 - Geelong v West Coast

S As one of the great Irish AFL careers ends, others will soon begin theirs

Kerry forward Cillian Burke has been linked with a move to the AFL for months. It is understood that process is still ongoing and Geelong are confident he will join.

Thu, 26 Sep, 2024

AFL Rd 22 - Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

S Conor Nash was once just hoping to survive, then he became in demand

The 26-year-old Meath native will line out in a blockbuster elimination final against the Western Bulldogs on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

AFLW Rd 1 - GWS v Western Bulldogs

Eilish O'Dowd scores fastest ever AFLW goal on debut

"I didn't expect that to happen, I wasn't a big goal scorer in Gaelic football so it was an amazing feeling."

Sat, 31 Aug, 2024

2022 AFL Grand Final - Geelong v Sydney

Laois' Zach Tuohy to retire from AFL at end of season

34-year-old Tuohy holds the record for the most ever AFL appearances by an Irish player.

Wed, 21 Aug, 2024

Kerry v Derry - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final

Part of Ó Cinnéide 'dies inside' every time a Kerry player heads Down Under

"The GAA doesn't seem to be the be all and end all for these lads."

Wed, 17 Jul, 2024

AFL Rd 20 - Geelong v Western Bulldogs

Kerryman Mark O'Connor keen to extend time Down Under

"It does fill us with pride, we are almost Ireland’s team at home."

Tue, 26 Mar, 2024

Sydney Swans Training Session

Tipperary’s Colin O’Riordan appointed as head of Sydney Swans academy

O'Riordan retired due to injury in 2022 season but has been based in Sydney ever since.

Fri, 24 Nov, 2023

AFLW Rd 10 - Western Bulldogs v Kangaroos

Erika O'Shea gets first AFLW goal as North Melbourne power into playoffs

North Melbourne trounced Western Bulldogs 55-9 to secure a top-four place and a double chance in the playoffs.

Sat, 04 Nov, 2023

AFL Rd 19 - GWS v Gold Coast

Aussie rules wages boost increases lure for Irish players

AFLW players will see their wages jump by 78%, with male salaries rising by 34%

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

AFLW Preliminary Final - Melbourne v North Melbourne

Demons into AFLW Grand Final after Goldrick's epic tussle with Wall

The Demons had 17 points to spare over the Kangaroos in front of 5,592 at Ikon Park

Sat, 19 Nov, 2022

AFLW Preliminary Final - Brisbane v Adelaide

Orla O'Dwyer's Brisbane power into AFLW Grand Final

The Lions will be playing their fourth Grand Final in seven seasons

Fri, 18 Nov, 2022

AFLW Rd 10 - North Melbourne v Richmond

Erika O’Shea misses AFLW Preliminary Final with eye injury

At his pre-game press conference, Kangaroos coach Darren Crocker detailed the extent of the nasty injury.

Thu, 17 Nov, 2022

2022 AFL Grand Final

Mark O'Connor now set for Dingle return after Grand Final joy

O’Connor is now set to swap the navy and white for the red and white of Dingle

Sun, 25 Sep, 2022

AFLW Rd 1 - Geelong v Richmond

Rachel Kearns set to miss AFLW campaign with shoulder injury

The Mayo woman played every game in her debut season earlier this year

Wed, 31 Aug, 2022

AFLW Rd 1 - Western Bulldogs v GWS

Irish in AFLW: McCarthy shines, Cora reaches 50, but injury for Kearns

Evergreen Cora Staunton's three goals put her second on the all-time AFLW scoring list

Sun, 28 Aug, 2022

Niamh Marley is challenged by Orlagh Lally 19/6/2022

Second Meath star heads for AFLW

Fremantle have secured Meath footballer Orlagh Lally as a rookie

Wed, 22 Jun, 2022

Armagh v Kerry - Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 2 Final

Melbourne confirm signing of Armagh's Blathín Mackin

The 23-year-old joins Dublin star Sinead Goldrick in pulling on the red and blue later this year

Wed, 15 Jun, 2022

2022 W Awards

Orla O'Dwyer becomes first Irish All-Australian since Jim Stynes

O’Dwyer, from Killenaule in Tipperary, becomes the first ever Irish female recipient of the coveted All-Star award.

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFLW Preliminary Final - Melbourne v Brisbane

Goldrick stars as Melbourne set up Grand final meeting with Adelaide Crows

Melbourne head into their maiden AFLW Grand Final after a historic 33-29 win over the reigning Premiers, the Brisbane Lions.

Sat, 02 Apr, 2022

AFLW Rd 4 - Brisbane v Geelong

AFLW All-Star nominations for Orla O’Dwyer and Cora Staunton

40 players from all 14 AFLW teams have been selected

Wed, 30 Mar, 2022

AFLW Rd 10 - Collingwood v Richmond

Irish in AFLW: Four goals for Cora Staunton and brace for Orla O'Dwyer

Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons both secured home preliminary finals

Sun, 13 Mar, 2022

AFLW Rd 9 - Fremantle v Melbourne

Irish in AFLW: Three goals for Cora Staunton and first for Brid Stack but Giants lose

Mayo’s Sarah Rowe starred for Pies but Adelaide Crows go to summit of AFLW ladder

Sun, 06 Mar, 2022

AFLW Rd 8 - GWS v St Kilda

Three goals for Cora Staunton as Giants win thriller after the siren

St Kilda were up four points with only seconds remaining before Kat Smith won a free kick and converted the winning score

Wed, 23 Feb, 2022

AFLW Rd 7 - Kangaroos v Collingwood

Irish in AFLW: On-song Gilroy helps Kangaroos shut down Magpies

Adelaide Crows got back to winning ways with massive 40-point win over GWS Giants

Mon, 21 Feb, 2022

AFLW Rd 2 - GWS v Adelaide

AFLW: Ailish Considine's Adelaide Crows shocked by Western Bulldogs

The Western Bulldogs have created the biggest shock of the 2022 AFLW season so far, defeating the Premiership favourites Adelaide Crows by the narrowest of margins

Sun, 13 Feb, 2022