'We would have an Irish team’: Discussions taking place for 20th AFLW club 

Over 40 Irish players will feature in the league this year. Five were selected in the All-Australian AFLW team of 2025.

Vikki Wall, Libby Birch and Tahlia Randall of the Kangaroos take a selfie with the Premiership Cup. Pic: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

There is a genuine desire for an Irish team in the AFLW, according to former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire.

Irish involvement in the women’s league has increased massively since 2017. Over 40 players will feature in the league this year. Five were selected in the All-Australian AFLW team of 2025.

An AFLW International Rules game between Ireland and Australia is set to take place this year as well. Tipperary’s Colin O’Riordan will coach the Irish outfit.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, McGuire claimed he had met with the Consul-General of Ireland, Marie-Clare Hughes and Fiona Flood, the Ambassador of Ireland to the Commonwealth of Australia.

“We were discussing this, and it has now been discussed at AFL level, and there is a genuine desire to put a 20th team into the AFLW competition – when Tasmania comes in – of Irish team,” he said.

“We are not playing in Ireland. That would be a long away trip. They would be based here, probably in Melbourne or maybe Sydney. The collective football world are looking at are looking at integrating an Irish team into the AFLW.” 

Tasmania will join the AFL as the league’s 19th team from 2028. This week, new AFL chair Craig Drummond said they were in no rush to add a 20th team.

"The commission is not considering it and it is not a conversation at the moment.” 

However, McGuire pointed to the Irish links to SPL side Glasgow Celtic or NBA’s Boston Celtics.

“There is a 103,000 Irish-born people who live in Australia. There is a further 27,000 temporary Irish visas in action and 2.4 million are of Irish descent. This could be something sensational. Maybe it is the Melbourne Celtics.”