Meath captain has unfinished business before heading Down Under
Meath captain Aoibhín Cleary is set to become the first Irish woman to play for AFLW side Richmond, after signing a two-year deal with the Melbourne club back in February.
But first, the two-time All-Ireland Ladies SFC winner must overcome the reigning champions Dublin in this year’s final on Sunday.
Having lost to the Dubs in both the Leinster final and National League, the Royals leader knows they are up against it.
Speaking with SportsJOE, she explained how her new Australian club have accommodated her Gaelic football needs.
She said: “I suppose it’s something I’ve always kind of had in the back of my head and always been interested in, seeing a lot of the Irish girls over there, some of my close friends and stuff are over there. It’s obviously a brilliant opportunity.
“I suppose this year it all did happen quite quickly then, signing with Richmond. They’ve been brilliant, ever since that has happened they’ve been very supportive and understanding of my situation and that I’ve committed to Meath and playing with Meath. So I only have great things to say about them anyway so far.”
And she is not worried of being the only Irish person in the squad, having already had a lot of contact with the team.
She added: “I don’t think so. To be honest since I’ve met them, or since I’ve been in contact with them, they’ve been so open, so encouraging, the connection, everything has just been brilliant. So regardless of there not being any Irish there, they’ve just been really, really welcoming.
“I think they they do seem like a really, really great group and great club to be part of.”
The most high-profile Irish signing to AFLW in recent years has been Cleary’s teammate Vikki Wall, who won last year’s Grand Final with North Melbourne, scoring two goals in their win over Brisbane.
Cleary told us of how she has been picking the brain of the 2021 LFGA player of the year, with both women playing their Aussie rules in the same city.
She continued: “Vikki has been brilliant, to be fair. I’ve definitely lent on her a good bit, just different questions, like very random questions, but she’s been really helpful. And I suppose lots of of tips and tricks…. and it’ll be great to just have her in Melbourne as well.”
Sports Joe
