Australia will always be attractive for footballers, Bríd Stack says

Michael Bolton

Former Cork footballer Bríd Stack says there will always be a draw for Ladies Footballers to join the AFLW, but she can see a change in the landscape in the future.

A league that has been growing in Irish interest through the last decade, female footballers have been making their mark in Australia.

There will be over 40 players in the 2026 league, with Meath footballer Mary-Kate Lynch the latest to make the move down under, with the season starting on August 10th.

One of the first to make the move in 2021 was Stack, who won 11 All-Ireland titles with Cork.

Having experienced so much success in football, the Cork woman decided to make the move to GWS Giants, with a change of lifestyle with her family among the main reasons.

"I didn’t even care if I was paid, I just wanted the experience", said Stack.

"There is the draw for another couple of years. Do I see it plateauing, or even diminishing in the years to come? I do, and I hope so. I know the academies in Australia are churning out more ready-made talent, talent that wasn’t there before.

"Is it going to be harder for Irish girls to get their place? Is there going to be the requirement for so many Irish players?

"There will always be that draw, but I think it will diminish in time. At the moment, we just have to weather the storm."

Another player who has made the move to Australia is Cavan footballer Aishling Sheridan, who is now back playing inter-county football.

Sheridan enjoyed a successful time with Collingwood between 2021 and 2023.

Having experienced life as a professional athlete in Australia, the Cavan woman does not blame any player for making the move, and is concerned for the future of the game.

While Cavan may be on a high as they chase a second promotion in two years, the young players have their eyes set on down under.

"I know from talking to underage players in Cavan, who are very talented footballers, if you ask them their goal, a lot of them are saying it is to go over and play AFLW. It’s not to represent their county at senior level or to win an All-Ireland.

"These are talented footballers that I have no doubt can get picked up by the AFLW.

"Having experienced it, I think it is such an amazing opportunity that I’d never tell anyone not to go. You are being put into a professional environment. It helps develop you as an athlete and as a person.

"I really enjoyed my time there, but I was quite content with coming back to Ireland. Playing over there suits a lot of people’s lifestyles."