Just in time – Tipperary’s Aishling Moloney and Anna Rose Kennedy are off down under after signing with Geelong Cats just minutes before deadline day.
There has been a substantial amount of ladies players contracted to AFLW this year, with close to thirty players set to embark on the professional dream, the highest number yet.
Rumours have been swirling surrounding Moloney’s move following her highly anticipated return from injury. The two-time All-Ireland intermediate has been out of action since her devastating cruciate ligament injury which she sustained in June 2021.
Their new club said in a statement that they see Moloney as an asset for their attacking half while Kennedy expected to make her mark as a running defender or outside player.
Kennedy captained DCU to the O’Connor Cup this year where she lifted the trophy for the side for the first time since 2018.
Head of AFLW and Football Pathways Brett Johnson said the club were looking forward to adding the experienced and talented duo to their repetior.
“Aishling and Anna Rose are very talented Gaelic footballers, and we’re thrilled that they’ve chosen Geelong as their new home away from home,” Johnson said.
“Aishling is well credentialled in the GAA, and we believe she will adapt well as a mobile tall forward in the AFLW.
“Anna Rose is an exciting young prospect who brings plenty of pace, and we see her slotting in either with our defence or as another option on the wing.
“Both Aishling and Anna Rose are fantastic people and athletes, and we’re looking forward to them joining our AFLW program for the season ahead.”
It is expected that both players will still be available for Tipperary this championship season which is welcome news for the fans and particularly for Moloney who has been absent for her county for a significant time due to injury.
The Tipperary duo will join Rachel Kearns of Mayo at Geelong as well as 2022 AFL Champions Zac Tuohy and Mark O’Connor and Mayo’s Oisin Mullin, bringing the Irish contingent at the club up to six.
From Tipperary to Geelong 💙
Gaelic footballers Aishling Moloney and Anna Rose Kennedy will join the Cats for Season 8!
Read 📘 https://t.co/I2Mlcijp7i#WeAreFootball pic.twitter.com/MklJ9LZO8s
— Geelong Cats Womens (@catswomens) March 28, 2023
Other new Irish players signed include 2022 TG4 senior Players’ Player of the Year Niamh McLaughlin of Donegal who joined the Gold Coast Suns, Irish basketball international and Mayo LGFA’s Dayna Finn joins Carlton’s AFLW squad, and Kerry LGFA and Division 1 basketball player for East Tennessee State University Paris McCarthy signs for Sydney Swans.