Professional opportunity too good for Irish players to turn down – Aileen Gilroy

Since moving to Australia in 2020, Mayo’s Aileen Gilroy has been one of the most consistent players in the Women’s Australian Football League (AFLW).

Currently playing with Hawthorn, the 31-year-old is one of over 30 Irish players in the league.

While playing for Mayo, Gilroy admitted a move to Australia wasn’t at the top of her agenda, especially when she suffered a serious ACL injury.

However, when a former Mayo teammate started making waves on the other side of the world, a career in Australia looked very tempting.

“The experience to have that professional lifestyle and how they work, and to have nothing else to concentrate on but AFLW, was a massive draw for me.

“The strength and conditioning here, when I came over her first, that was a huge part that opened up my eyes to the world because they concentrate on so much.

“Cora Staunton was the first person to get the game in 2017…