Advertisement

Dream debut as Tipp's Orla O'Dwyer scores with her first touch in AFLW

The new AFLW season got underway with no fewer than 18 Irish players on the books.

TIPPERARY’S ORLA O’DWYER announced her arrival in the AFLW with a goal with her very first touch for the Brisbane Lions.

O’Dwyer and the Lions ran out 13-point victors in their season opener against defending champions the Adelaide Crows — for whom Clare’s Ailish Considine was lining out for — winning 5.4 (34) to 3.3 (21).

The Tipp dual star made an instant impact on her Aussie Rules debut in front of a crowd of 3,002 at Hickey Park, turning back inside onto her left boot rather than calling a mark and splitting the posts to put Brisbane into an early 14-0 lead.

AFL Women's / YouTube

Elsewhere it was also a day to savour for Cora Staunton as the Mayo legend made her return to competitive action following a nine-month injury absence with a horrific quadruple leg break.

Staunton, Donegal’s Yvonne Bonner and their GSW Giants edged a narrow 1.3 (9) to 1.2 (8) win in a low-scoring affair in horrendous conditions against Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, Dublin star Sinéad Goldrick enjoyed a winning debut with Melbourne FC. Mayo midfielder Aileen Gilroy was on the losing end with North Melbourne there, though she caught the eye in her AFLW bow. 

gilroy3 AFLW. AFLW.

And Fermanagh’s Joanne Doonan had a winning start with Carlton in Friday’s opener, as the Blues saw off Richmond at Ikon Park.

- Additional reporting by Emma Duffy.

Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to preview Ireland-Wales and England’s trip to Murrayfield


The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud

Author
Niall Kelly
View 4 comments
Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel