TIPPERARY’S ORLA O’DWYER announced her arrival in the AFLW with a goal with her very first touch for the Brisbane Lions.
O’Dwyer and the Lions ran out 13-point victors in their season opener against defending champions the Adelaide Crows — for whom Clare’s Ailish Considine was lining out for — winning 5.4 (34) to 3.3 (21).
The Tipp dual star made an instant impact on her Aussie Rules debut in front of a crowd of 3,002 at Hickey Park, turning back inside onto her left boot rather than calling a mark and splitting the posts to put Brisbane into an early 14-0 lead.
Elsewhere it was also a day to savour for Cora Staunton as the Mayo legend made her return to competitive action following a nine-month injury absence with a horrific quadruple leg break.
Staunton, Donegal’s Yvonne Bonner and their GSW Giants edged a narrow 1.3 (9) to 1.2 (8) win in a low-scoring affair in horrendous conditions against Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, Dublin star Sinéad Goldrick enjoyed a winning debut with Melbourne FC. Mayo midfielder Aileen Gilroy was on the losing end with North Melbourne there, though she caught the eye in her AFLW bow.
And Fermanagh’s Joanne Doonan had a winning start with Carlton in Friday’s opener, as the Blues saw off Richmond at Ikon Park.
- Additional reporting by Emma Duffy.
Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to preview Ireland-Wales and England’s trip to Murrayfield
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