The rise of a Tipp superstar Aishling Moloney — She's quickly 'becoming the face' of AFLW

In only her 11th appearance, Aishling Moloney notched two goals, eight marks and 18 touches in an awesome offensive display. She is doing it all despite it being her debut campaign and minimal preseason.

Tipperary's Aishling Moloney.

There was a striking moment during Geelong AFLW coach Dan Lowther’s various media obligations this week as he reflected on their first post-season victory in AFLW history and the Irish star at the heart of it.

Geelong secured an 18-point elimination final win to storm into a semi-final against Melbourne this weekend. On SEN Radio, Lowther was asked about the league’s rapid rise and how the sport has now attracted the best athletes in the country.

The host watched recent rounds and compared some of the talent on display to that of AFL premiership winner Mark Blicavs. The All-Australian is the son of an Olympian and World Championship basketballer. Previously he was targeting the Olympics as a middle-distance runner and steeplechaser before Geelong came calling. Lowther immediately picked up on where the comparison was headed.

“We are trying to find the right type of player that can play the game itself but also have an impact athletically. You are probably referring to Aishling Moloney who hails from Ireland. The sort of stuff she has been doing as a 6’1 player who hasn’t played the game at all but looks to have captured it beautifully.

“Her run, jump, launch and evasiveness has been super to watch. She is certainly exciting and very quickly becoming the face of the competition.” At this point it is worth pausing to consider the significance of what the head coach was saying. In only her 11th appearance, Moloney notched two goals, eight marks and 18 touches in an awesome offensive display. She is doing it all despite it being her debut campaign and minimal preseason. The Tipperary flyer is at the forefront of a game that is on the cusp of exploding. This is life-changing.

Orla O'Dwyer of the Lions in action during the 2023 AFLW Round 03 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans.

The ground continues to shift in this bold new world. Under a freshly approved collective bargaining agreement, the average AFLW player salary will increase to $82,000 (€48,855) from the current $46,000 by the end of 2027. Top-end players are already in that territory. It remains to be seen what this means for the LGFA.

This was always a likely move for the 2019 Intermediate Player of the Year. Her departure was delayed due to work commitments and downright rotten luck. In 2021 she tore her cruciate. In 2022 she was bitten by a false widow spider. This time last year Brisbane would have considered themselves in pole position. Then Lowther and Geelong captain Meg McDonald flew to Ireland before the 2023 signings deadline and made their pitch. They departed having secured the signatures of Moloney and her intercounty team-mate Anna-Rose Kennedy.

As a result, last month Martin and Gertie Moloney left their pheasant, duck and hen farm in South Tipperary to cheer on the Cats Down Under. It was a welcome relief to the 3am alarm calls they endured to watch their daughter in her previous games, a riveting joy to meet team-mates they already recognised from early morning streams.

“Aishling has played since she was about seven,” Gertie told the club media after the Richmond fixture. “She has always given us joy, excitement and thrill watching her play. Whether it be Gaelic football, camogie or her tonight. I’m hoarse from shouting and screaming, it was incredible.” Cameron Ling is a club legend, three-time flag winner, captaining the club to their 2011 triumph. Locally the redhead is known as Lingy. That is why Moloney has gained the same nickname and sported his same number, 45, this season. A season in which she has scored eight goals and counting.

Such an overwhelming success story could be diminished closer to home by the fact she is one of 33 Irish players currently on an AFLW panel. Delve deeper into that list and the so-called player drain has yet to truly emerge. The likes of Dayna Finn, Aine McDonagh and Paris McCarthy had opted for basketball rather than ladies’ football before the Australian opportunity arose.

Aishling Sheridan, Orlagh Lally, Jennifer Dunne, Rachel Kearns, Niamh Martin, Moloney, Kennedy, Aimee and Blaithín Mackin all played both in 2023. Vikki Wall spent one season in Australia before pursuing her Olympic dream with Irish rugby. Clara Fitzpatrick, Amy Mullholland, Cara McCrossan, Joanne Cregg and Tanya Kennedy all emigrated to Australia for non-sport reasons and came to the game through the local level.

Kennedy’s story is remarkable in itself. The Donegal woman moved to Australia in 2012, returning to her native county for one season and winning an Ulster SFC. In Sydney, she joined local GAA club Clan Na Gael, where former Sydney Swans player and current selector Colin O’Riordan coaches. The Swans signed 30-year-old Kennedy as injury cover earlier this year and she has been balancing playing with her day job as a construction traffic controller.

Last week the rookie shone as Sydney secured a historic win over Gold Coast. They take on Adelaide next week and the anticipated matchup of Kennedy and five-time All-Australian Ebony Marinoff will be pivotal.

Sydney will be underdogs this Saturday. As are Moloney’s Geelong, taking on reigning-champions Melbourne. Both clubs have never reached this stage before. There is no doubt that both Irish players want more. That ambition is why they are not just surviving in a new sport but thriving. When Moloney’s mother was asked if she would stay in Australia to watch Aishling play some more games, her answer was immediate.

“We’ll be here for the final.”