Leitrim native Eilish O’Dowd will make here Women’s AFL debut in Australia on Saturday when she lines out for the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants against the Western Bulldogs.
O’Dowd, a native of Ballinamore, won an All-Ireland senior gaelic football team with Dublin in 2023 – she was working in the capital as a teacher at the time.
That success attracted the interest of AFL clubs with GWS Giants subsequently signing her as a rookie after a successful trail stint in Sydney.
The 26-year-old newcomer was informed of her upcoming AFLW debut by coach Cam Bernasconi at training on Thursday.
O’Dowd is the fourth Irish player to be signed by the Giants since 2017.
Another Leitrim native – Kiltubrid’s Áine Tighe – is also on an AFL roster this season with the Freemantle Dockers – she’s been with the western Australia club since 2019.
