Ireland's Mike Finn takes a strong pack mark against South Africa in a 2008 International Cup match
Country
Ireland
Governing body
AFL Ireland
National team(s)
Ireland
First played
1999, Dublin & Belfast
Registered players
~200
Clubs
9
Australian rules football in Ireland (Irish: Peil rialacha na hAstráile) began in 1999 when clubs were simultaneously formed in Dublin and Belfast, however awareness of Australian rules football dates back to the 20th century due to similarities with Gaelic football and the country subsequently became a source of players for professional leagues in Australia, particularly the Australian Football League (AFL) and later the AFL Women's (AFLW) through the Irish Experiment which is ongoing. It is governed by AFL Ireland which is a member of AFL Europe.
There are now two governing bodies, AFL Ireland and AFL Northern Ireland, with teams and competitions in Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Galway.
While coexisting with and relying heavily on players from Gaelic games, it has grown and Ireland has become one of the most decorated nations in Australian rules with the national team, formed in 2001, winning second most men's international titles (2) and most women's international titles (2) as well as the most European Championship titles (2) and Euro Cup women's titles (4). Professional AFL/AFLW players to have represented Ireland internationally include Laura Duryea, Clara Fitzpatrick and Padraig Lucey.
It attracts a television audience, particularly the AFLW competition (but also the men's AFL).[1] In 2023 there were a record 33 listed Irish The 33 Irish players set for the new AFLW season.[2] Jim Stynes (the first to win an AFL best and fairest) along with Tadgh Kennelly (first to win an AFL premiership), achieved a level of fame at home and in turn raised the profile of the AFL.[3][4][5] Ailish Considine was the first to win an AFLW premiership achieving similar fame.[6]
Current player Zach Tuohy holds the Irish born and raised record for the most games while Jim Stynes holds the record for most goals with 130 while Cora Staunton holds the equivalent in the AFL Women's with the most games with 50 and most goals with 55.
^The Cora effect: What's behind the explosion of Irish AFLW interest?by Gemma Bastiani 4 May 2023
^record number of imports from Ireland will feature with the oval ball this year by Maurice Brosnan for the Irish Examiner 31 August 2023
^The late great Jim Stynes made us imagine what is possible by Brian Fitzpatrick for IrishCentral. 29 March 2012
^JIM STYNES AND TADHG KENNELLY NAMED AMONG GREATEST IRISH AFL TEAM from Kildare Nationalist. 13 August 2021
^Marty Clarke given bigger role as AFL continue to eye gaelic footballers By Pat Nolan for the Irish Mirror. 21 March 2018
^Two-time Grand Final winner Ailish Considine on AFL uncertainty, her latest success and her future By Michael Scully for the Irish Mirror 5 May 2022
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