Sinead Goldrick, Niamh McEvoy and Orla O’Dwyer will be heading back down under after re-signing for Melbourne and Brisbane Lions on deadline day.
With the AFL Women’s Sign and Trade Period now shut, seven Irish stars have committed their futures to the new season. Goldrick, McEvoy and O’Dwyer join Grace Kelly, Niamh Kelly, Aisling McCarthy and Ailish Considine as the latest stars to re-sign.
In October last year, Sinead Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy became the first international AFLW players to sign for Melbourne. The three-in-arow Dublin duo helped Melbourne qualify for their first ever Finals Series before it was ultimately cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Goldrick, a seven-time All-Star defender, made it clear last month that Dublin and Foxrock-Cabinteely will always be her number one. The defender alongside Jackies team-mate Niamh McEvoy are heading to Melbourne to complete unfinished business.
A successful start to a new career. ????
It was a special debut for Niamh McEvoy, who received the red + blue jumper from her father, Dave.#GoDees pic.twitter.com/nmTqKvBvnW— Melbourne AFLW (@MelbourneAFLW) February 16, 2020
Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer has also pledged her future to the AFLW after re-signing with the Brisbane Lions. O’Dwyer who won the All-Ireland intermediate football championship in 2017 and 2019, as well as captaining the Premier’s camogie outfit, is set to build on her promising debut season last year.
Your Iconic Moment, presented by @IconGroupglobal, is none other than Orla O'Dwyer's first-ever goal! ???? pic.twitter.com/lgUyi5N6qQ
— Brisbane Lions AFLW (@lionsaflw) February 11, 2020
Last season, 18 Irish players were involved in the AFLW season. It was announced that the new 2021 AFLW season will commence in February, with pre-season expected to begin in December. The season will run for a nine-week home and away season with a three-week Finals Series.
There might be some clash with the pre-season of the AFLW as the TG4 All-Ireland championships has been scheduled in from mid-October to December.
