Eilish O'Dowd scores fastest ever AFLW goal on debut

Eilish O'Dowd of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal with teammates during the round one AFLW match against Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval. Picture: Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Eilish O'Dowd scored the quickest goal in AFLW history on her debut for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

From the opening siren against the Western Bulldogs, the Leitrim-born Dublin footballer won the tap and raced through the middle of the oval unopposed before kicking her first ever goal.

There were just 11 seconds elapsed during the Giants' first game of the season when the 26-year-old scored. She added a second shortly after half-time. The Giants won the game 10.12 (72) to 1.3 (9), their biggest ever victory. Last season, they won just two games. 

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

"You don't really have that much pressure on you because it's your first time playing a big game like that, but there were nerves, and I think I turned that nervous energy into excitement."

WHAT DID WE JUST SEE? 🤯

Eilish O'Dowd's first disposal of her career is as good as it gets.#AFLWGiantsDogs pic.twitter.com/ZcPjaKWgiw

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) August 31, 2024

O'Dowd, who moved to Australia in January and signed a two-year deal with the Giants in March, found out on Thursday that she would be making her debut. 

“Since arriving at the club she’s shown an incredible appetite to learn a brand-new sport and her development has been remarkable," said Giants coach Cam Bernasconi.

“To pick up a totally new sport so quickly and perform strongly at the elite level is a credit to her commitment and her talent."