Niamh McLaughlin set to create history in new AFLW season opener on Friday night

When Niamh McLaughlin leads the Gold Coast Suns out in their AFLW opener with West Coast Eagles on Friday night, it will mark more than just the start of a new season for the club - it will also represent a historic moment for Ireland and Australian Rules football.

McLaughlin, who shares captaincy duties with Lucy Single, is the first Irish-born player - male or female - to captain a top-tier Australian Rules side on a full-time basis.

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The 31-year-old’s sporting journey began in soccer, before she became a prominent Gaelic footballer for Donegal.

In 2023, she made the move across the world to Australia, and less than two years later, she has been trusted with one of the most important roles at the Suns as she enters her third AFLW season.

“It’s incredibly special,” McLaughlin told AFL.com.au. “When I first came here, becoming captain wasn’t something I had thought about — it wasn’t even on my radar.

“To be given the responsibility to lead any team or club is a huge honour. Right now, I’m just trying to live in the moment, but I’m sure in years to come I’ll look back and fully appreciate it.

“I know I’m the first person from Ireland to do this, but my focus is simply to keep giving my best to the team, perform well myself, and help everyone around me be their best.”

Leadership is nothing new for McLaughlin. She captained Donegal for four years before stepping away ahead of the most recent season. The decision wasn’t easy and leaving the team she grew up with felt like a huge shift.

“I really struggled with it,” she admitted. “You don’t want to let anyone down. Without my time in Donegal, I wouldn’t even be here. You stay with your county your whole career - you don’t swap teams.

“But after the Suns had a tough season last year, I felt I needed to give this my full focus, both physically and mentally.

“I was home for a few months and could have played the League, but it wouldn’t have been fair to just play a couple of games and then leave mid-season.”

Irish players have made a significant impact in the AFLW in recent years, and McLaughlin knows her appointment as co-captain could inspire others back home.

She followed the careers of fellow Irishwomen like Vicki Wall, Blaithin Mackin and Sinead Goldrick before making the switch herself.

“Ireland is small, and even though we’re rivals on the field, you get to know people well,” she said. “You’re representing not just yourself, but people from home. I want to make them proud.

“In my hometown of Moville, the young girls who play Gaelic football now have more role models, the sport is getting more media attention, and crowds are growing. We have a bit of a profile there.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I joke with my cousin that I’m being paid to live on the Gold Coast and play footy - something I love. It’s surreal. As a kid, you might dream about it, but you don’t think it’s possible. Now it is.”

Since arriving in Australia, McLaughlin has made a strong impression on the field. Initially used as a forward, she has transitioned into a running defender, where her speed, evasive skills, and attacking mindset have become key assets. In 2024, she finished runner-up in the Suns’ best and fairest count.

“It was daunting at first,” she admitted. “You think, ‘They’ve flown me halfway across the world - what if I’m terrible?’ I just hoped I’d be good enough.

“I’ve definitely improved over my three seasons here, but I’m still aiming to get better.”

McLaughlin’s journey - from Donegal captain to AFLW leader - reflects both her adaptability and her willingness to embrace challenges.

Now, as she prepares to lead the Suns into a new season, she carries not only the hopes of her teammates, but also the pride of a growing Irish contingent in the AFLW.

Donegal’s other two AFLW exports, Amy Boyle Carr and Tanys Kennedy will also be in action on Friday night.

Robert Emmets’ Kennedy will line out for the Sydney Swans, also on Friday night, as they

host Richmond while Naomh Conaill’s Boyle Carr and the Adelaide Crows go to St Kilda on Sunday.

Entering her third season at the top level, Swans midfielder Kennedy can’t wait to get started.

She had a consistent 2024 season, featuring in all 11 games and placing fourth in the club's best and fairest.

Having lived in Australia since 2012, Kennedy recently became an Aussie citizen.

Kennedy became a citizen of her adopted country and can now officially call Australia home.

"I've been here over 12 years and I finally got the citizenship, it was a long wait, but yeah, it was perfect and it was such a gorgeous day," she said.

"I'm privileged to be a citizen now, I don't need to worry about any visas and stuff, and I can just play footy and have fun."

Elsewhere, over at Adelaide, Boyle Carr says she wants to move to the next level this time out as she prepares for her second season Down Under with the Crows.

The Glenties girl made good progress in her debut term at a club where it’s notoriously difficult to make an instant impression.

And while the player admits she was content enough to have broken into the first-team ranks last term, Boyle-Carr explains that the target this time out is to hit the ground running and cement her sport in a side that will once again be gunning for Grand Final glory.

“The Crows were so good, so patient with me but a lot of work went in, and will continue to go in now trying to reach the next level. It’s a serious challenge but it’s rewarding and I’m loving it.

“Even the oval ball, you’re first aim is to master that and the kicking of it as it’s a completely different skill.

“So headed into the 2025 season, I want to step it up. I’ll have to if I want to play more games and from the very off.”

Meanwhile, TG4 have announced that the station will again broadcast weekly matches and highlights from the upcoming Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) season.

A record thirty-four Irish players will take the field this season with eighteen Irish counties represented.

TG4 will broadcast two matches deferred each weekend as well as weekly highlights as part of GAA 2024 on Monday evenings at 8pm.

AFL Aussie Rules na mBan starts this Saturday at 12pm with Essendon v Freemantle.