IRISH DEBUTANT Bláithín Bogue starred for North Melbourne in their 30-point AFLW [Australian Football League Women’s] win over Geelong.
One of four Irish players on North Melbourne’s list, Bogue signed following their 2023 campaign.
She previously represented Fermanagh and Tempo Maguires in GAA, winning the player-of-the-match award in the 2022 All-Ireland ladies junior football final.
The 25-year-old, who is one of a record 39 Irish players involved in the AFLW this year, didn’t feature in her first season as the club were crowned champions.
But after impressing in pre-season, she made the most of her opportunity today, kicking a soccer-style goal amid heavy rain in the final quarter at Kardinia Park, as the Kangaroos avoided a major scare against their rivals.
Bogue also produced the assist for Bella Eddey’s goal to give her side an 18-point advantage.
The Tempo, Fermanagh native, then put the outcome beyond any doubt, taking a mark in the goal square before registering a kick from close range.
“It was great. The first three quarters were tough, but we knew we just had to keep fighting until the end,” Bogue told Fox Sports afterwards.
“I honestly was just in the right place at the right time (for the goals).
“The first one, the ball was just there and I just had to put the boot on it, because they put so much pressure on you if you try to bend down for the ball. I was just happy I got it away.”
Vikki Wall was absent for North Melbourne, having missed pre-season as she helped Meath back to the All-Ireland senior ladies football final.
“Culturally, we think it’s better for our group to reward the players who have been out here right throughout the whole preseason and have done all the work,” said head coach Darren Crocker this week.
Cork’s Erika O’Shea featured off the interchange bench, while Offaly rookie Amy Gavin Mangan was named among the emergencies.
Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Kate Kenny were all on the losing Geelong side.
Elsewhere, Blaithin Mackin helped Melbourne to a 48-point win away to Western Bulldogs. Dublin All-Ireland winner Sinéad Goldbrick was held in reserve as an emergency for the 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) victory.
And two other Dublin players were on the losing side as Greater Western Sydney Giants fell to a 56-point defeat to Essendon.
Grace Kos’s debut — and Éilish O’Dowd’s AFLW return after her second All-Ireland success -0 ended in a disappointing 13.7 (85) to 3.11 (29) loss.
- Originally published 11.06am, updated to correct to North Melbourne
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Fermanagh player stars in AFLW debut for North Melbourne
IRISH DEBUTANT Bláithín Bogue starred for North Melbourne in their 30-point AFLW [Australian Football League Women’s] win over Geelong.
One of four Irish players on North Melbourne’s list, Bogue signed following their 2023 campaign.
She previously represented Fermanagh and Tempo Maguires in GAA, winning the player-of-the-match award in the 2022 All-Ireland ladies junior football final.
The 25-year-old, who is one of a record 39 Irish players involved in the AFLW this year, didn’t feature in her first season as the club were crowned champions.
But after impressing in pre-season, she made the most of her opportunity today, kicking a soccer-style goal amid heavy rain in the final quarter at Kardinia Park, as the Kangaroos avoided a major scare against their rivals.
Bogue also produced the assist for Bella Eddey’s goal to give her side an 18-point advantage.
The Tempo, Fermanagh native, then put the outcome beyond any doubt, taking a mark in the goal square before registering a kick from close range.
“It was great. The first three quarters were tough, but we knew we just had to keep fighting until the end,” Bogue told Fox Sports afterwards.
“I honestly was just in the right place at the right time (for the goals).
“The first one, the ball was just there and I just had to put the boot on it, because they put so much pressure on you if you try to bend down for the ball. I was just happy I got it away.”
Vikki Wall was absent for North Melbourne, having missed pre-season as she helped Meath back to the All-Ireland senior ladies football final.
“Culturally, we think it’s better for our group to reward the players who have been out here right throughout the whole preseason and have done all the work,” said head coach Darren Crocker this week.
Cork’s Erika O’Shea featured off the interchange bench, while Offaly rookie Amy Gavin Mangan was named among the emergencies.
Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Kate Kenny were all on the losing Geelong side.
Elsewhere, Blaithin Mackin helped Melbourne to a 48-point win away to Western Bulldogs. Dublin All-Ireland winner Sinéad Goldbrick was held in reserve as an emergency for the 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) victory.
And two other Dublin players were on the losing side as Greater Western Sydney Giants fell to a 56-point defeat to Essendon.
Grace Kos’s debut — and Éilish O’Dowd’s AFLW return after her second All-Ireland success -0 ended in a disappointing 13.7 (85) to 3.11 (29) loss.
- Originally published 11.06am, updated to correct to North Melbourne
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AFLW Bláithín Bogue Geelong Melbourne Demons Take a Bow Fermanagh