A RECORD EIGHT Irish players have been named in the 2025 AFLW All-Australian squad.
Niamh Kelly, Jennifer Dunne, Dayna Finn, Erone Fitzpatrick, Niamh McLaughlin, Áine McDonagh, Aishling Moloney and Blaithin Bogue are selected in the extended squad of 42, with a final team of 21 to be announced at the W Awards on Monday, 24 November.
Tipperary and Geelong star Moloney made the final selection last season, while Mayo and Adelaide Crows flier Kelly won an All-Australian award in 2023.
Orla O’Dwyer became the first Irishwoman to achieve the feat in 2022, with Aisling McCarthy and Aileen Gilroy included alongside Moloney in 2024.
As pointed out by AFLW Ireland, 20% of Irish players (39) make up 20% of the 2025 All-Australian squad. “A huge endorsement of the success and dominance of the Irish players across the season,” a social media post reads.
Mark Keane, of Cork and Adelaide, was named in the 2025 AFL extended equivalent in August, but the wait for the first Irish AFL All-Australian since the late Jim Stynes in 1993 continues.
Meanwhile, a total of 20 Irish players could feature in the AFLW finals series, which gets underway tomorrow.
There are Irish players at six of the eight teams involved, with 14 counties represented.
Niamh Kelly in action for Adelaide. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Four, including Bogue, play for defending champions North Melbourne, while Kelly is among the same number at Adelaide.
The largest contingent is at Carlton, with Finn and Fitzpatrick among five Irish players.
The only finalists without Irish representation on this occasion are West Coast Eagles and St Kilda, both debutants at this stage in the league’s 10th season.
Six of the eight Irish All-Australian squad members will feature. Moloney’s Geelong and Niamh McLaughlin’s Gold Coast failed to progress.
Irish players in the 2025 All-Australian squad
Blaithin Bogue (North Melbourne / Fermanagh)
Advertisement
25 | Tempo Maguires
Has enjoyed a dream debut campaign, having been held in reserve to develop her skills last season. Joint top Irish goalscorer with 21 alongside McDonagh — four off outright leader Indy Tahau.
Jennifer Dunne (Brisbane Lions / Dublin)
25 | Cuala
All-Ireland champion and AFLW winner in 2023, Dublin powerhouse went all in with AFLW for third season and decision has paid dividends Down Under.
Dayna Finn (Carlton / Mayo)
25 | Kiltimagh
Has shown athletic prowess since signing in 2023, but Irish basketball international has been instrumental this season with three goals and all-round impact on the wing.
This recognition caps a brilliant return from an ACL injury, with 11 goals to boot as Laois woman kicks on from promising debut campaign two years ago.
Niamh Kelly (Adelaide / Mayo)
30 | Moy Davitts
Two All-Australian squad inclusions in three years, will be hoping to make final cut like in 2023. Key player for Adelaide, contributing goals from the wing while sister Grace also stars.
Áine McDonagh (Hawthorn / Galway)
27 | Maigh Cuilinn
Joint leading Irish goalscorer alongside Bogue with 21, another superb season for the towering, creative influence. Most behinds in league, 18. Also a talented basketball player.
Niamh McLaughlin (Gold Coast/ Donegal)
32 | Moville
The first Irishperson to captain an AFLW / AFL side as co-skipper of Gold Coast, led from the front. 2022 LGFA Player of the Year now takes individual acclaim in Oz.
Aishling Moloney (Geelong / Tipperary)
27 | Cahir
Another stellar season. Joint-top goal-kicker and 2024 All-Australian hit 17 this campaign. In high demand, but future committed to Geelong.
Aishling Moloney (left) in full flow. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
2025 AFLW finals series
Irish players
North Melbourne
Blaithin Bogue (Fermanagh)
Amy Gavin Mangan (Offaly)
Erika O’Shea (Cork)
Vikki Wall (Meath)
Hawthorn
Aileen Gilroy (Mayo)
Áine McDonagh (Galway)
Carlton
Maria Cannon (Mayo)
Dayna Finn (Mayo)
Erone Fitzpatrick (Laois)
Siofra O’Connell (Clare)
Aisling Reidy (Clare)
Melbourne
Sinéad Goldrick (Dublin)
Blaithin Mackin (Armagh)
Sinéad Goldrick: Seeking AFLW and All-Ireland double in 2025. Leah Scholes / INPHO
Leah Scholes / INPHO / INPHO
Brisbane Lions
Neasa Dooley (Kildare)
Jennifer Dunne (Dublin)
Orla O’Dwyer (Tipperary)
Adelaide Crows
Amy Boyle-Carr (Donegal)
Kayleigh Cronin (Kerry)
Niamh Kelly (Mayo)
Grace Kelly (Mayo)
Fixtures
First Qualifying Final – Friday 7 November
North Melbourne v Hawthorn, IKON Park
First Elimination Final – Saturday 8 November
Carlton vs West Coast Eagles, IKON Park
Second Qualifying Final – Sunday 9 November
Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions, IKON Park
Second Elimination Final – Sunday 9 November
Adelaide Crows vs St Kilda, Norwood Oval.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Irish shine in AFLW as 8 players in All-Australian squad and 20 set for finals
A RECORD EIGHT Irish players have been named in the 2025 AFLW All-Australian squad.
Niamh Kelly, Jennifer Dunne, Dayna Finn, Erone Fitzpatrick, Niamh McLaughlin, Áine McDonagh, Aishling Moloney and Blaithin Bogue are selected in the extended squad of 42, with a final team of 21 to be announced at the W Awards on Monday, 24 November.
Tipperary and Geelong star Moloney made the final selection last season, while Mayo and Adelaide Crows flier Kelly won an All-Australian award in 2023.
Orla O’Dwyer became the first Irishwoman to achieve the feat in 2022, with Aisling McCarthy and Aileen Gilroy included alongside Moloney in 2024.
As pointed out by AFLW Ireland, 20% of Irish players (39) make up 20% of the 2025 All-Australian squad. “A huge endorsement of the success and dominance of the Irish players across the season,” a social media post reads.
Mark Keane, of Cork and Adelaide, was named in the 2025 AFL extended equivalent in August, but the wait for the first Irish AFL All-Australian since the late Jim Stynes in 1993 continues.
Meanwhile, a total of 20 Irish players could feature in the AFLW finals series, which gets underway tomorrow.
There are Irish players at six of the eight teams involved, with 14 counties represented.
Four, including Bogue, play for defending champions North Melbourne, while Kelly is among the same number at Adelaide.
The largest contingent is at Carlton, with Finn and Fitzpatrick among five Irish players.
The only finalists without Irish representation on this occasion are West Coast Eagles and St Kilda, both debutants at this stage in the league’s 10th season.
Six of the eight Irish All-Australian squad members will feature. Moloney’s Geelong and Niamh McLaughlin’s Gold Coast failed to progress.
Irish players in the 2025 All-Australian squad
25 | Tempo Maguires
Has enjoyed a dream debut campaign, having been held in reserve to develop her skills last season. Joint top Irish goalscorer with 21 alongside McDonagh — four off outright leader Indy Tahau.
25 | Cuala
All-Ireland champion and AFLW winner in 2023, Dublin powerhouse went all in with AFLW for third season and decision has paid dividends Down Under.
25 | Kiltimagh
Has shown athletic prowess since signing in 2023, but Irish basketball international has been instrumental this season with three goals and all-round impact on the wing.
25 | Park-Ratheniska
This recognition caps a brilliant return from an ACL injury, with 11 goals to boot as Laois woman kicks on from promising debut campaign two years ago.
30 | Moy Davitts
Two All-Australian squad inclusions in three years, will be hoping to make final cut like in 2023. Key player for Adelaide, contributing goals from the wing while sister Grace also stars.
27 | Maigh Cuilinn
Joint leading Irish goalscorer alongside Bogue with 21, another superb season for the towering, creative influence. Most behinds in league, 18. Also a talented basketball player.
32 | Moville
The first Irishperson to captain an AFLW / AFL side as co-skipper of Gold Coast, led from the front. 2022 LGFA Player of the Year now takes individual acclaim in Oz.
27 | Cahir
Another stellar season. Joint-top goal-kicker and 2024 All-Australian hit 17 this campaign. In high demand, but future committed to Geelong.
2025 AFLW finals series
Irish players
North Melbourne
Hawthorn
Carlton
Melbourne
Brisbane Lions
Adelaide Crows
Fixtures
First Qualifying Final – Friday 7 November
North Melbourne v Hawthorn, IKON Park
First Elimination Final – Saturday 8 November
Carlton vs West Coast Eagles, IKON Park
Second Qualifying Final – Sunday 9 November
Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions, IKON Park
Second Elimination Final – Sunday 9 November
Adelaide Crows vs St Kilda, Norwood Oval.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
AFLW Flying the flag Land down under