Clare dual star signs with AFL club

They are coming for our female stars now, and they don't look like stopping.

Last week it was reported that eleven Irish women were to travel to Melbourne to try out for the 2019 AFLW season. The initiative was started by Cross Coders, a program that provides female athletes with once in a life time opportunities to go and play AFL professionally. Ireland was the obvious location for scouts to tap in to given the success of 'The Irish Experiment' which has overseen a host of GAA stars leave the amateur game behind in search of a professional contract. In addition to this, Cora Staunton's exploits Down Under proved that Irish women are more than capable of mixing it with the best Australia has to offer. This morning Adelaide Football Club announced that they have made their first Irish Rookie signing ahead of the 2019 AFLW season in the form of Clare dual star, Ailish Considine. The Kilmihil club player has agreed to take up the oval ball with the Adelaide Crows citing that it was an unbelievable opportunity that was too hard to turn down.

"I actually can't even put it into words how I'm feeling." she said.  "The week with Cross Coders has been brilliant. I was not expecting this at all. I thought I was coming out here to Melbourne to have a kick around and see Australia a little bit. "I did not expect to be going home with a contract."

The 26-year-old admits she doesn't know too much about the club yet, but is looking forward to learning more as she tackles this amazing opportunity over the next few months.

"I don't know a whole lot about Australia or Adelaide, to be honest! But I'm sure I'll get to know an awful lot about it in the next few months. I cannot wait to get started with the Crows." 

Jason Hill, the co-founder of Cross Coders has highlighted his pride in Ailish's performance and admits they cannot wait now to see her in action.

"Ailish has come to Australia and done everything she can to impress not just the Cross Coders coaching staff but also that of the entire AFLW.

"She has been a genuine superstar both on and off the pitch since arriving and we're so proud that she'll get to call Adelaide home. "The support Adelaide Football Club has show the program, and Ailish, in such a short period of time is phenomenal and we cannot wait to see Ailish in action. They have certainly got a gem on their hands."

Considine becomes the third Irish women to join the AFLW ranks after Cora Staunton and Sarah Rowe.