View source for Irish experiment (Australian rules football)

{{Short description|Importation of Gaelic footballers}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
[[File:Jim Stynes statue MCG.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Jim Stynes]] immortalised in bronze at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]. Became the first non-Australian born player to win the prestigious [[Brownlow Medal]] in 1991. With 264 AFL games, he has the record for the most of any Irishman. He represented both Australia and Ireland on several occasions.]]
[[File:Zach Tuohy_2018.2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Zach Tuohy]], has played more than 250 AFL games, won an AFL premiership and represented Ireland 4 times.]]
[[File:Tadhg Kennelly_2018.2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Tadhg Kennelly]] became the first Irish AFL premiership player in 2005 and represented Ireland 6 times.]]
[[File:Pearce Hanley_2017.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Pearce Hanley]] played 169 AFL games and represented Ireland twice.]]
[[File:Setanta2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Setanta Ó hAilpín]] went against the Gaelic Football trend and made a successful conversion from [[Hurling]].]]
[[File:Laura Duryea_18.02.17.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Laura Duryea]], the first player to represent Ireland in Australian rules and play in a top-level Australian competition ([[AFLW]]), has three [[Australian Football International Cup]] Grand Final appearances and two medals.]]
'''The Irish Experiment''' is the popular name for the interest, primarily from [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]] clubs, in bringing Irish sportspeople, particularly [[Gaelic football]]ers, to Australia to play [[Australian rules football]] professionally.<ref name="The Guardian - 21 September 2018 - Ireland's 'Emerald armada' set to take the AFLW by storm">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/21/irelands-emerald-armada-set-to-take-the-aflw-by-storm|title=Ireland's 'Emerald armada' set to take the AFLW by storm|last=Schetzer|first=Alana|date=21 September 2018|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=22 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/how-a-1982-irish-newspaper-ad-spawned-afls-40-year-fascination-with-bringing-gaelic-footballing-talent-to-oz-42008414.html|title=How a 1982 Irish newspaper ad spawned AFL's 40-year fascination with bringing Gaelic footballing talent to Oz|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Donnchadh|last=Boyle|date=22 September 2022}}</ref> The AFL's focus on Gaelic footballers is due to the [[Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football|similarities between the sports]].
The Irish Experiment began in the mid-1980s as an informal project of the [[Melbourne Football Club]].<ref name=AFL_MFC_TheIrishExperiment>
{{cite web
|url=http://melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=57179
|title=150th Memories – The Irish Experiment
|date=1 January 2008
|access-date=25 October 2008
|publisher=[[Melbourne Football Club]]
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110215/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=57179
|archive-date=6 July 2011
}}
</ref> Despite its initial success, enthusiasm for the project lapsed until the 2000s, when it again became ongoing,<ref name="GAA_03Jan2006_ColmBegleyAFLClubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=10054 |title=Begley warns Aussies are watching |date=3 January 2006 |publisher=[[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] |access-date=26 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425030900/http://www.gaa.ie/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=10054 |archive-date=25 April 2008 }}</ref><ref name="AFLcomau_14Oct2008_CarltonBlues_IrishExperiment">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=68986 |title=Blues persist with Irish experiment |last=Murphy |first=Catherine |date=14 October 2008 |publisher=AFL Media |access-date=3 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015044415/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=68986 |archive-date=15 October 2008 }}</ref><ref name="AFLComAu_AdelaideCrowsFC_11Jul2008_IrishExperiment">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4417/Default.aspx?newsId=63181 |title=Crows begin Irish experiment |last=Murphy |first=Catherine |date=11 July 2008 |publisher=AFL Media |access-date=3 February 2009 }}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="AFL-com-au_ 22Aug2008_GeelongCats_IrishExperiment">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=66036 |title=Cats join in the Irish experiment |last=Broad |first=Ben |date=22 August 2008 |publisher=AFL Media |access-date=4 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524201904/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=66036 |archive-date=24 May 2011 }}</ref> reaching a record level due to [[globalisation]] and professionalism in sport; however, it also faced significant challenges due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/19/afls-irish-experiment-faces-testing-time-amid-belt-tightening-and-restricted-movement AFL’s Irish experiment faces testing time amid restricted movement] Maurice Brosnan for The Guardian 19 August 2020</ref>
The highest-profile product of the experiment to date has been [[Order of Australia|Medal of the Order of Australia]] and 1991 [[Brownlow Medal]] recipient [[Jim Stynes]], who was an early recruit in 1984, during his highly successful career he played more AFL games than any other Irish player. [[Tadhg Kennelly]] was the first to win a premiership in [[2005 AFL Grand Final|2005]].
Over the years, the Irish experiment has attracted media and public interest in both Ireland<ref name="GAA_03Jan2006_ColmBegleyAFLClubs"/><ref name=IrishExaminer_GarryLyon_TheIrishExperiment>
{{cite web
|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2007/06/27/story35906.asp
|title=Aussies to swoop in 'most concerted ever' trawl for Irish talent
|date=27 July 2007
|access-date=26 October 2008
|publisher=[[Irish Examiner]]
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204094335/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2007/06/27/story35906.asp
|archive-date=4 December 2007
}}
</ref><ref name="RTE_Sports_10Jul2008_Nickey Brennan">{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0710/gaa.html |title=Brennan reveals anger at AFL scouts |date=10 July 2008 |publisher=[[RTÉ]] |access-date=1 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065839/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0710/gaa.html |archive-date=13 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name="IrishIndependent_Sport_GaelicFootball_30Oct2008_GAAPlan">{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/gaa-plan-to-curb-talent-flow-down-under-1513112.html|title=GAA plan to curb talent flow Down Under|last=Breheny|first=Martin|date=30 October 2008|work= [[Irish Independent]]|access-date=1 February 2009}}</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/the-players-ensuring-the-irish-experiment-continues-to-endure-as-new-afl-season-begins-41447225.html The players ensuring the ‘Irish experiment’ continues to endure as new AFL season begins] from Independent.ie 15 March 2022</ref> and Australia.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25293891-19742,00.html Pluck of Irish shines through in Essendon's win over Fremantle] from heraldsun.com.au</ref> As of 2022, five men recruited from Ireland reached 100 AFL games, though the majority have returned having experienced minimal success in Australia. Since 2018 Irish women have become a major source of talent for the professional [[AFL Women's]] competition, with almost an entire team's worth of players participating in the 2020 season. To date, a handful of these recruits have experienced accolades, including first premiership player [[Ailish Considine]], first Irish All-Australian [[Orla O'Dwyer]] and notable goalkicker [[Cora Staunton]].
==History==
One of the first gaelic footballers to convert to Australian rules was Eugene King, who arrived in Australia in 1956 and was invited to train with the [[Footscray Football Club]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72538305 |title=THE ARGUS' First in Football! |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]] |location=Victoria, Australia |date=28 February 1956 |accessdate=11 January 2022 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> however he had difficulty with the shape of the ball and did not make the grade.
===Australian Football World Tour===
In 1967, [[Harry Beitzel]] drew inspiration from watching the 1966 [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]] final on television and formed an Australian side, nicknamed "The [[Galah]]s", to play the game against an [[Gaelic Athletic Association|Irish side]]. The next year he organised [[The Australian Football World Tour]], a six-match series with games played against Irish teams in Ireland, the United Kingdom and United States of America. What followed was the beginning of regular interaction between the two codes which was to become the hybrid code of [[International Rules Football]].
===Beginnings of the Irish Experiment===
[[Ron Barassi]], drawing [[Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football|comparisons between Australian rules football and Gaelic football]] was of the opinion that Gaelic Footballers could provide a previously untapped pool of potential Australian Rules players.<ref name="AFL_MelbourneFC_numberoneticketholder_Barassi_IrishExperiment">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=73252 |title=Barassi named No. 1 |date=15 March 2009 |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930095622/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=73252 |archive-date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> At the time, Australian Rules was, with the introduction of the [[Sydney Swans]], increasing its national focus and emerging from a semi-professional sport to a fully professional one. As a result, wealthy Victorian clubs were scouting the country far and wide for new talent to gain an advantage in the sport's premier competition. In 1982, Barassi (then the [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] VFL club coach) and his recruiting team (including Melbourne's [[Barry Richardson (Australian footballer)|Barry Richardson]]) travelled to Ireland, looking for young, tall, and talented players.<ref name=AFL_MFC_TheIrishExperiment/>
The first recruit was [[Sean Wight]]. Wight was part of an Under-19 VFL premiership side just weeks after his arrival from Ireland in 1983 and was widely hailed for his rapid conversion, though others who joined him had much less success.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116408634 |title=First-season gaelic footballer wins medal |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=58 |issue=17,528 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=25 September 1983 |accessdate=11 January 2022 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Further advertising resulted in the recruitment of a "tall, skinny lad", [[Jim Stynes]].<ref name=AFL_MFC_TheIrishExperiment/><ref name=IrishExaminer_GarryLyon_TheIrishExperiment/> Both Wight and Stynes, still very much learning the game, played together in the club's [[1987 National Panasonic Cup (Australian rules football)|1987 night premiership]]. While Stynes captured the Melbourne reserves best and fairest that year, he also involved in an embarrassing event which cast doubts on the Irish experiment. His lack of understanding of the rules arguably cost Melbourne a berth in the [[1987 VFL Grand Final]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/sport/afl/story/0,26547,24340235-5016212,00.html |title= History repeats for Jim Stynes |access-date=6 March 2009 |last=Hutchison |first=Craig |date=13 September 2008 |work=Adelaide News }}</ref> The infamous Preliminary Final incident in which he ran over the [[Mark (Australian football)#Rules|mark]] before the siren made him and the Irish experiment the focus of Melbourne media. The mistake awarded Hawthorn's [[Gary Buckenara]] a 15-metre penalty which resulted in a winning goal to qualify for the Grand Final. Despite the setback, Stynes and Wight were both to improve in the following seasons and become regular senior players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2008-04-01/150th-memories-the-irish-experiment |title=150th Memories - The Irish Experiment |first=Lynda |last=Carroll |date=1 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031607/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2008-04-01/150th-memories-the-irish-experiment |archive-date=17 June 2016 }}</ref>
Wight and Stynes both featured in the [[1988 VFL Grand Final]]. However, despite high expectations, Melbourne was convincingly thrashed by [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]], then the dominant club of the era. However, Stynes was voted best on field for the Demons.
At the end of the 1988 season, [[Victorian Football League|Victoria Football Association]] (VFA) club [[Prahran Football Club|Prahran]] enticed [[Dermot McNicholl]], who had starred in two previous [[International rules series]], to move to Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UpxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_5YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3335%2C5828083|title=McNicholl joins the Talent Transplant|first=Garry|last=Linnell|work=The Age|date=27 October 1988|page=36}}</ref> Two weeks later, [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]] drafted him with the 99th selection in the [[1988 VFL draft]]. In the same draft, Melbourne recruited two more Irish players, Jim Stynes' brother [[Brian Stynes|Brian]] and [[Tom Grehan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7Q4pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DpcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1775%2C7937094|title=Irish give the draft a global look|first=Rohan|last=Connolly|page=34|date=10 November 1988|work=The Age}}</ref> McNicholl spent the 1989 season playing for Prahran, before injury forced him to miss the first half of the 1990 season, after which he recovered and made his senior debut for St Kilda. He played three senior games<ref>{{AFL Tables|ref=D/Dermot_McNicholl.html}}</ref> before returning to Ireland to complete his university studies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.australianrules.com.au/2004stories/draftsmokies.html |title=The 10 best smokies in the national draft |author=Paul Daffey |work=Australian Rules |access-date=2008-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029220936/http://australianrules.com.au/2004stories/draftsmokies.html |archive-date=29 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
A much-improved Jim Stynes won the [[Brownlow Medal]] in [[1991 Brownlow Medal|1991]], cementing his place as a future [[Melbourne Football Club#Hall of Fame|Melbourne]] and [[Australian Football Hall of Fame|AFL Hall of Famer]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame {{!}} Melbourne Football Club |url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/history/hall-of-fame |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=melbournefc.com.au}}</ref> However, the rare successes were increasingly seen as "one-offs", and other clubs showed little enthusiasm with the "hit-and-miss" strategy. Melbourne, the trailblazer club, was not translating recruitment into on-field success and was fast losing financial resources that were required to sustain international recruitment. As a result, only a few AFL clubs recruited Gaelic footballers who played at the highest level in the 1990s.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} It was later Stynes' post-playing career as Melbourne president that helped the club eliminate A$5 million in debt in two years, leaving the club A$400,000 in surplus. The Demons had been in debt for thirty years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brodie|first=Will|date=2010-08-04|title=Stynes delivers Demons debt demolition|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/stynes-delivers-demons-debt-demolition-20100805-11g7s.html|access-date=2021-10-01|website=The Age}}</ref>
Despite the Melbourne Football Club's enthusiasm for the Irish experiment and early success with some Irish players, the majority of players from the Irish Experiment did not fare as well. Most failed to meet expectations, not make VFL level, and many instead returned home to Ireland. Even the recruitment of Jim Stynes' brother Brian yielded just a handful of unimpressive senior games, and McNicholl returned home after only 3 matches.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFL Tables - Dermot McNicholl - Stats - Statistics|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/D/Dermot_McNicholl.html|access-date=2021-10-01|website=afltables.com}}</ref>
With the increasing professionalism of the AFL competition, some clubs continued to speculate about the overseas talent pool. [[Kevin Sheedy (Australian footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]] in particular conducted a series of his own experiments with overseas players from various sporting backgrounds but did not include Ireland or Gaelic football. Despite generating media publicity, none of these experiments were ultimately successful, and increasingly sections of the Australian media began to mock the idea of international recruitment.
===2000s revival===
The Irish experiment lay dormant for many years until Melbourne once again began to take an interest in it. The Sydney Swans followed with the recruitment of [[Tadhg Kennelly]] through its rookie list. Kennelly was an almost overnight success, being nominated for the [[AFL Rising Star]] award in his first season and widely hailed by the media. As a result, other clubs began to show a much keener interest in Irish talent.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}
With access to additional resources, AFL clubs began to spend more time and effort in identifying and training athletic and talented rookies. [[Collingwood FC|Collingwood]], [[Carlton FC|Carlton]] and [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] in particular began to show an interest and held scouting sessions and tryouts for Irish players.
Carlton soon followed, and its experiments with [[Setanta Ó hAilpín|Setanta]] and [[Aisake Ó hAilpín]] began to bear fruit and attract significant media interest in both Australia and Ireland. These experiments were of particular note, as for the first time a club was looking to other sports than Gaelic football, by identifying talented [[hurling]] athletes with the right ingredients to become AFL players.
With Gaelic footballer [[Colm Begley]]'s rapid conversion at Brisbane and [[Martin Clarke (footballer)|Martin Clarke]]'s successful AFL debut, media commentators hailed a new era for the Irish experiment. During the [[2007 AFL season]], several AFL clubs began sending talent scouts to Ireland.
In March 2008, it was revealed by the media that the AFL had considered a radical proposal to launch an Irish-dominated team in Sydney's western suburbs, which would perform before an international audience under the Celtic brand name. The "[[Greater Western Sydney Giants|Sydney Celtics]]" plan was first put to AFL chief executive [[Andrew Demetriou]] in early 2007 by [[Gaelic Players Association]] executive Donal O'Neill. It was said that the proposal originated at the [[International Rules Series]] in Ireland in late 2006, where O'Neill put forward a plan to purchase an AFL licence in Sydney. However, the AFL later dismissed it as simple speculation.<ref name=TheAge_RealFootyCom_SydneyCeltics_14Mar2008_Wilson>{{Cite news
|author=Caroline Wilson
|title=AFL eyes Ireland for Celtic team
|url=http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/clubs-fasttrack-two-new-entries/2008/03/13/1205126110889.html
|date=12 July 2008
|access-date=12 July 2008
|publisher=The Age
|archive-date=18 April 2008
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418040053/http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/clubs-fasttrack-two-new-entries/2008/03/13/1205126110889.html
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
By mid-2008, the interest of clubs reached a peak, and Tadhg Kennelly and Jim Stynes spoke out about the increasing recruitment activity. AFL player manager [[Ricky Nixon]] set up recruitment networks in Ireland to complement those already in place by clubs such as Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane.<ref name="AFL-com-au_ 22Aug2008_GeelongCats_IrishExperiment"/> [[Nickey Brennan]], the [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] boss, spoke out against the recruitment activity in June 2008.<ref name="RTE_Sports_10Jul2008_Nickey Brennan"/> The AFL and GAA had ongoing discussions about putting limits on the recruitment of players.<ref name="IrishIndependent_Sport_GaelicFootball_30Oct2008_GAAPlan"/>
Despite the rise of former hurler Setanta Ó hAilpín in the AFL, recruitment interest in Ireland began to wane in mid-2010. Several Irish players cancelled their rookie contracts to return home; others were delisted after brief bouts in the various state leagues.
===2010–2015: AFL turns to other sources of talent===
With a [[media circus]] surrounding the conversion of professional Australian [[rugby league]] players [[Karmichael Hunt]] to the [[Gold Coast Football Club]] and [[Israel Folau]] to the [[Greater Western Sydney Giants]], focus began to shift to other sports, particularly [[rugby football]] as a potential source of talent. With the success of Canadian [[rugby union]] player [[Mike Pyke]]'s conversion and many other players transitioning at the junior level, the AFL and commentators began to speculate that professional rugby league players might make an easier transition to the AFL due to coming from a heavy-contact professional sport involving an oval ball.<ref>[http://m.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/league-code-switchers-may-have-jump-on-irish-20100607-xqpy.html League code switchers may have jump on Irish] by Jake Niall for ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' 8 June 2010</ref> The transition of two highly publicised rugby league players has since proved to be of little success,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/eight-afl-experiments-were-unlikely-to-see-again-20140718-zuk2l.html|title=Eight AFL experiments we're unlikely to see again|last=Cherny|first=Daniel|date=2014-07-18|work=The Age|access-date=2017-08-02}}</ref> and the cross-code focus of AFL recruiters has returned to the GAA<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-02/roos-next-in-line-to-consider-irish-experiment|title=Roos next in line for Irish experiment - AFL.com.au|publisher=AFL Media|access-date=2017-08-02}}</ref> and expanded to include American professional sportsmen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/mason-coxs-incredible-debut-legitimises-the-usatoafl-pathway/news-story/62671dbec8c5f6fa4ae815d9b4bbfde5|title=AFL: Collingwood's Mason Cox legitimises USA-to-AFL combine, Jonathan Givony of Draft Express talks 2016 AFL Combine|date=2016-04-26|publisher=Fox Sports|access-date=2017-08-02}}</ref>
In particular, the first [[AFL International Combine]] was held in the United States targeting college basketballers and college footballers was particularly successful, eventually producing such AFL-listed Americans as [[Eric Wallace]], [[Jason Holmes]] and [[Mason Cox]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://usafl.com/videos/20150327/2015-afl-us-combine-comes-img-academy-april-26-29|title = AFL US Combine Comes to IMG Academy|date = 27 March 2015|accessdate = 27 March 2015}}</ref>
===Revival and European Combine 2015–2020===
In 2015, the [[Australian Football League|AFL]] appointed [[Tadhg Kennelly]], a former player for the [[Sydney Swans]], as its International Talent Manager; and, in addition to the [[AFL Draft Combine#US Combine|US Combine]], Kennelly organised a special [[AFL Draft Combine#European Combine|European Combine]] to be held in [[Dublin]]. As expected, the large proportion of the turn-out were Gaelic footballers.<ref>{{Cite web|title = AFL looks to Europe for fresh talent|url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-to-cast-recruitment-net-beyond-gaelic-footballers-to-find-next-big-thing/story-fni5f22o-1227171316795|accessdate = 4 September 2015}}</ref> The two best-performing participants at the combine are then given the opportunity to attend the AFL National Combine. [[Sean Hurley (footballer)|Sean Hurley]], [[Paddy Brophy]], [[Daniel Flynn (footballer)|Daniel Flynn]], [[Ciarán Byrne]], [[Ciarán Sheehan]] and [[Cian Hanley]] are some notable people who have previously attended the combine.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Kennelly set to host fourth AFL international combine|work=Irish Independent|date=10 December 2014 |url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/kennelly-set-to-host-fourth-afl-international-combine-30815422.html|accessdate = 4 September 2015}}</ref>
In 2018, the Irish contingent in the AFL consisted of five senior-listed players and six rookie-listed players.
The [[2020 AFL Grand Final]] featured two players: [[Zach Tuohy]] and [[Mark O'Connor (sportsman)|Mark O'Connor]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/from-a-newspaper-ad-38-years-ago-to-the-grand-final-the-irish-experiment-still-endures-in-australia-39658217.html|title=From a newspaper ad 38 years ago to the Grand Final: The 'Irish experiment' still endures in Australia|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Donnchadh|last=Boyle|date=31 December 2020|accessdate=31 December 2020}}</ref> Both were playing for Geelong but the team lost the game to Richmond.
===Damage inflicted by the 2020 Conor McKenna coverage===
On 20 June 2020, [[Conor McKenna]] of Essendon tested positive for the highly infectious novel coronavirus disease [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]]. This resulted in the postponement of the match scheduled for the following day between [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] and [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/455021/dons-dees-postponed-after-bomber-tests-positive|title=Dons-Dees postponed after Bomber tests positive|publisher=Australian Football League|first=Mitch|last=Cleary|date=20 June 2020|accessdate=20 June 2020}}</ref> One other player was quarantined due to close contact during training. McKenna had another COVID-19 test on 22 June which was confirmed as negative in the evening of 23 June. He remained in quarantine pending a further test later in the week.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-s-conor-mckenna-now-tests-negative-20200623-p555ge.html|title=Essendon's McKenna now tests negative|newspaper=[[The Age]]|first=Jake|last=Niall|date=23 June 2020|accessdate=24 June 2020}}</ref> During this time McKenna was subjected to an intense trial by media, abuse on social media and became a public villain in the country, treatment which provoked much criticism.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/aussie-rules-2/the-treatment-of-conor-mckenna-in-australia-has-been-a-disgrace-438192|title=The Treatment of Conor McKenna in Australia Has Been A Disgrace|publisher=[[Balls.ie]]|first=Donny|last=Mahoney|date=23 June 2020|accessdate=23 June 2020}}</ref> On 8 September 2020, McKenna announced his retirement and return to Ireland after 79 games played.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/497519/essendon-speedster-shocks-teammates-with-retirement-announcement|title=Essendon Speedster Shocks Teammates With Retirement Announcement|first=Callum|last=Twomey|date=8 September 2020|accessdate=8 September 2020}}</ref> Geelong footballer [[Zach Tuohy]] described the official and media abuse directed at McKenna as "disgraceful" and "outrageous".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/zach-tuohy-treatment-of-conor-mckenna-was-absolutely-outrageous-1.4310116|title=Zach Tuohy: Treatment of Conor McKenna was 'absolutely outrageous'|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan|date=21 July 2020|accessdate=21 July 2020}}</ref> In Ireland, it was also suggested "stars of the future that may being{{sic}} tempted to pursue a life in the AFL Down Under, may reconsider".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gaeliclife.com./columnists/disgusting-treatment-of-conor-mckenna/|title=Disgusting treatment of Conor McKenna|work=[[Gaelic Life]]|first=Cahal|last=Carvill|date=10 July 2020|accessdate=10 July 2020}}</ref>
==List of Irish sportsmen linked with the VFL/AFL==
This list includes any player who at minimum (regardless of whether he ever went to Australia or played actual VFL/AFL matches) meets any one of the following criteria:
:a) brought to Australia by an AFL club
:b) spent time training with an AFL club
:c) played in an AFL club's affiliated state league club or AFL practice match
:d) offered an AFL contract by a club
:e) listed on an AFL rookie or senior list
===Notable players===
The following players from the Irish experiment have either played a VFL/AFL game, or are currently{{when|date=August 2021}} on an AFL list.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|*
| The first Irish experiment player associated with that club
|-
| style="background:#CCFF99; width:1em"|†
| Currently on an AFL senior list
|-
| style="background:#ff9; width:1em"|‡
| Currently on an AFL rookie list
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCFF99"
| Currently on an AFL senior list
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!| Year linked with AFL || Player || GAA || Initial VFL/AFL club || Draft status || VFL/AFL debut || VFL/AFL matches || Notes
|-
| 1982 || [[Sean Wight]] || [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] || style="background:#CFECEC;| Melbourne* || Rookie || 1985 || 150 || Melbourne's first Irish recruit. Had a serviceable career at Melbourne.
|-
| 1983 || [[Paul Earley]] || [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]] || Melbourne  || || 1984 || 1 || Returned to Ireland.
|-
| 1984 || [[Jim Stynes]] || [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]] || Melbourne || Rookie || 1987 || 264 || Won the [[All-Ireland Minor Football Championship]] with Dublin before joining Melbourne and winning the [[Brownlow Medal]] in 1991. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Still holds the AFL record for consecutive games played. The Jim Stynes Medal, the Australian Player of the Series award in the International Rules Series, is named after him. He was honored with a state funeral in Melbourne when he died in 2012.
|-
| 1987 || [[Dermot McNicholl]] || [[Derry GAA|Derry]] || style="background:#CFECEC;| [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]*  || [[1988 VFL draft|1988 National draft]] (Pick 99) || 1990 || 3 || St Kilda's first Irish player returned to Ireland in 1990 because his university refused to let him defer his course any longer.
|-
| 1990 ||  [[Brian Stynes]] || Dublin || Melbourne  || Rookie || 1992 || 2 || Younger brother of Jim Stynes.
|-
| 1999 || [[Tadhg Kennelly]] || Kerry || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Sydney Swans|Sydney]]* || [[1999 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2001 ||  197 || Sydney's first Irish player was also the first to win an [[AFL premiership medallion]] (in 2005 – the Swans' first Premiership in 72 years)<ref name=IrishExaminer_GarryLyon_TheIrishExperiment/><ref name=AFL_Age_TheIrishExperiment>
{{Cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/01/19/1042911265522.html| title=Swans' Irish experiment ready to throw off his tag| date= 20 January 2003|access-date= 25 October 2008| publisher= [[The Age]]| location=Melbourne}}</ref><ref name=Collingwood_MartyClark_IrishExperimentRef>
{{cite web|url=http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=52715  |title=Keeping Irish eyes smiling  |date=23 October 2007  |access-date=25 October 2008  |publisher=[[Collingwood Football Club]]  |url-status=dead  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222125522/http://collingwoodfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5586/Default.aspx?newsId=52715  |archive-date=22 February 2008  }}
</ref> and his much-celebrated AFL career led to renewed interest in Irish recruitment. Took a sabbatical from AFL in a bid to win the [[2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final]] with Kerry (his father [[Tim Kennelly|Tim]] had won five All-Irelands with Kerry), which he did before returning to Australia and rejoining the Swans in 2010. Also won the 2011 GAA Medal for being Irish Player of the Series in the International Rules Series. He is the first player to have won both the All-Ireland Senior Football Final and the AFL Grand Final.
|-
| 2004 ||  [[Setanta Ó hAilpín]] || Cork || Carlton || [[2004 AFL draft|2004 rookie draft]] || 2005 ||  88  || Better known as a [[hurling|hurler]]<ref name="AFLcomau_14Oct2008_CarltonBlues_IrishExperiment"/><ref name="HeraldSun_Carlton_Ó_hAilpín_Brothers">{{Cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24457433-19742,00.html| title=Carlton appear to be put O'hAilpin brothers on the market<!-- Sic -->| date= 7 October 2008|access-date= 26 October 2008| work= [[Herald Sun]]| first=Mark| last=Robinson}}</ref><ref name="EveningHerald_Carlton_Ó_hAilpín_Brothers">
{{cite web |url=http://www.herald.ie/sport/gaelic-football/carlton-chief-reckons-aisake-still-has-oz-future-1499186.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218032041/http://www.herald.ie/sport/gaelic-football/carlton-chief-reckons-aisake-still-has-oz-future-1499186.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2013 |title=Carlton chief reckons Aisake still has Oz future  |date=15 October 2008 |access-date=26 October 2008  |work=[[Evening Herald]]
}}
</ref><br />Shifted to {{AFL GWS}} in 2012.
|-
| 2006 ||  [[Colm Begley]] || [[Laois GAA|Laois]] || Brisbane || [[2006 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2006 || 30 || Brisbane's first Irish player made a rapid conversion which stunned the Australian media. Played his first AFL game just weeks after his arrival in Australia, however was eventually delisted by Brisbane but given a second chance by [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]<ref name=IrishExaminer_GarryLyon_TheIrishExperiment/><ref name=GriffithUni_Colm_IrishExperimentRef>
{{cite web|url=http://www.griffith.edu.au/sport/profiles/content_colm.html  |title=Elite Athletes – Colm Begley  |access-date=25 October 2008  |publisher=[[Griffith University]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822101133/http://www.griffith.edu.au/sport/profiles/content_colm.html  |archive-date=22 August 2008  |url-status=dead  }}
</ref><ref name=SportsAustralia_Colm_IrishExperimentRef>
{{cite web |url=http://sportsaustralia.com/articles/oct06/artid6757.html  |title=Ireland triumphs in first match  |date=29 October 2006  |access-date=25 October 2008  |publisher=SportsAustralia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726012919/http://sportsaustralia.com/articles/oct06/artid6757.html  |archive-date=26 July 2008  }}
</ref><ref name=AFLComAu_2008Draft_ColmBegley>
{{cite web |url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=70347  |title=Selection 83: Colm Begley  |date=28 November 2008  |access-date=28 November 2008  |publisher=[[Australian Football League]]|url-status=dead  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202041027/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=70347 |archive-date=2 December 2008
}}
</ref> Decided to return to Ireland after the 2009 AFL season and was delisted.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2009/1021/1224257170680.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Begley calls time on AFL career}}</ref>
|-
| 2006 ||  [[Martin Clarke (footballer)|Martin Clarke]] || [[Down GAA|Down]] || Collingwood ||  [[2006 AFL draft|2006 rookie draft]] || 2007 || 73 || Clarke was Collingwood's first Irish recruit, and was very successful upon debut in 2007. He returned to play Gaelic football for Down in 2010, and returned to play Australian football for Collingwood in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/magpies-marty-clarke-heads-home-to-ireland/story-e6frf8w6-1225779189364|title=Magpies' Marty Clarke heads home to Ireland|newspaper=[[Herald Sun]]|date=24 September 2009|first=Finn|last=Bradshaw|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010140416/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/magpies-marty-clarke-heads-home-to-ireland/story-e6frf8w6-1225779189364|archivedate=10 October 2009}}</ref>
|-
| 2007 ||  [[Pearce Hanley]] || Mayo || Brisbane || [[2007 AFL draft|2007 rookie draft]] || 2008 ||169|| Promoted to Brisbane's senior list for 2010. Joined Gold Coast for the 2017 season.
|-
| 2008 ||  [[Michael Quinn (footballer)|Michael Quinn]] || [[Longford GAA|Longford]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]]* || [[2008 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2009 || 8 || Essendon's first Irish AFL player<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24660904-19742,00.html | work=Herald Sun | title=Dons list Irish rookie Michael Quinn | date=17 November 2008}}</ref> Played in the [[2009 NAB Cup]] and debuted in Round 2, 2009 for Essendon. On debut took the record from Martin Clarke for the quickest time to convert between codes.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tadhgs-identical-quinn/story-e6frf9jf-1225700624494 Irishman Michael Quinn becomes Bombers' success story]</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFF99"
| 2008 || [[Zach Tuohy]] || Laois || Carlton ||[[2009 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2011 ||270|| Made his senior debut in 2011. Has enjoyed as successful career including a premiership in 2022.
|-
| 2008  ||  [[Niall McKeever]] || [[Antrim GAA|Antrim]] || Brisbane || [[2009 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2011 || 22 ||  Trained with Richmond's senior squad in Melbourne. Was also linked to North Melbourne before signing a rookie contract with the Brisbane Lions.<ref name="worldfootynews.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20091022045240369|title=AFL clubs continue to punt on the Irish Experiment|date=22 October 2009|first=John|last=Corrigan|publisher=World Footy News}}</ref><ref>http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/irish-are-running-hot/2008/11/12/1226318743800.html{{dead link|date=September 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2008  ||  [[Tommy Walsh (Kerry footballer)|Tommy Walsh]] || Kerry || St Kilda || [[2009 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2012 || 5 ||  A high-profile talent and who after several offers accepted an invitation to train with St Kilda<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2008/1112/1226408554381.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Walsh latest star to get trial in Australia | date=11 November 2008}}</ref> in Melbourne but withdrew, leaving open the possibility of a future contract with an AFL club. Finally agreed to sign for St Kilda in 2009<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/> but didn't play a game. In 2012 he signed with Sydney. In 2014, he decided to return to Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-01/walsh-heads-back-to-ireland-as-swans-delist-duo|title=Walsh heads back to Ireland as Swans delist duo|date=1 October 2014|publisher=[[Australian Football League]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2009  || [[Jamie O'Reilly]] || Down || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]]* || [[2009 AFL draft]] (rookie) || 2010 || 4 ||  Richmond's first Irish signing.<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/> Delisted in 2011
|-
| 2011  ||  [[Caolan Mooney]] || Down || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]]* || [[2011 AFL draft|2012 Rookie draft]] || 2012 || 6 ||
|-
| 2013  || [[Ciarán Sheehan]] || Cork || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]]* || [[2013 AFL draft|2014 Rookie draft]] || 2013 || 6 || The second player to have played for both GAA and AFL teams to win the GAA Medal as Irish Player of the Series in the International Rules Series (2013). Delisted at the end of the 2017 season.
|-
| 2013  ||  [[Ciarán Byrne]] || Louth || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]]* || [[2013 AFL draft|2014 Rookie draft]] || 2014 ||22||Left at the end of the 2018 season to return to Ireland.
|-  bgcolor="#ff9"
| 2014 || [[Conor McKenna]] ‡ || [[Tyrone county football team|Tyrone]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| {{AFL Ess}}* || International rookie || 2015 ||123||Left following negative media coverage of his [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] diagnosis, a test which could not be replicated two days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.otbsports.com/other-sports/conor-mckenna-covid19-reaction-1036853|title=AFL greats criticise Australian media for 'criminal' treatment of McKenna|publisher=[[Off the Ball (media company)|Off the Ball]]|first=Arthur James|last=O'Dea|date=26 June 2020|accessdate=26 June 2020}}</ref> McKenna immediately resumed his Gaelic football career with Tyrone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0908/1163844-mckenna-bids-farewell-to-afl-and-set-to-return-home/|title=Conor McKenna to link up with Tyrone panel after AFL farewell|publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]]|first=Damian|last=Lawlor|date=8 September 2020|accessdate=8 September 2020}}</ref> He would go on to win the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship for Tyrone in 2021 before coming back to Australia to play for the {{AFL BL}} in 2023 which lead to him being a part of Brisbane's winning Grand Final team in 2024, becoming only the second player to win both an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and an AFL premiership after Tadhg Kennelly.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c1d5ngqqw2go|title=McKenna joins Kennelly in elite club as Lions win|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 September 2024|accessdate=4 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2015 || [[Conor Glass]] || Derry || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]]* || International rookie || 2017 || 21 || First Irishman to play for Hawthorn. Announced decision to depart in September 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/313237|title=Glass to return home next week|work=Hogan Stand|date=3 October 2020}}</ref> Resumed his Gaelic football career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/gaelic-games/59319400|title=Conor Glass: Star says emotions 'really just came out' after Glen's Derry triumph|publisher=BBC|date=17 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.balls.ie/gaa/gaa-more-hawkeye-controversy-after-conor-glass-point-ruled-out-516332|title=More Hawkeye Controversy After Conor Glass Shot Appeared To Go Over|publisher=[[Balls.ie]]|date=11 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/gaa/gaelic-football/news/30553/12649067/gaa-confirm-hawkeye-will-not-be-in-use-for-dublin-vs-kerry-following-malfunction-in-all-ireland-semi-final|title=GAA confirm hawkeye will not be in use for Dublin vs Kerry following malfunction in All-Ireland semi-final|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=9 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/324790|title=Derry star Glass hits out at poor communication over Hawk-eye error during All-Ireland semi-final|work=Hogan Stand|date=28 August 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 2015 || [[Colin O'Riordan]]* || Tipperary || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Sydney Swans|Sydney]]|| International rookie || 2018  || 29
|-  bgcolor="#CCFF99"
| 2016 || [[Mark O'Connor (sportsman)|Mark O'Connor]] †|| Kerry || Geelong || International rookie || 2017 || 109 || Became the second player alongside Zach Tuohy to win an AFL premiership in [[2022 AFL Grand Final|2022]].
|-  bgcolor="#CCFF99"
| 2016 || [[Conor Nash]] † || Meath || Hawthorn || International rookie || 2018  ||73
| Rugby union convert (represented Ireland in junior rugby union)
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
| 2016 || [[Darragh Joyce]] ‡<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-29/st-kilda-signs-hurling-star-and-international-rules-gun|title=St Kilda signs hurling star and IRS gun|last=Schmook|first=Nathan|date=29 July 2016|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>|| Kilkenny || St Kilda || International rookie || 2018 ||5
| Former hurler
|-  bgcolor="#CCFF99"
| 2018 || [[James Madden (footballer)|James Madden]] †<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-14/irish-speedster-commits-to-lions-before-draft|title=Irish speedster commits to Lions before draft|last=McGowan|first=Marc|date=14 August 2018|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>|| Dublin || Brisbane || International rookie || 2021 || 13 ||
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2018 || [[Mark Keane (footballer)|Mark Keane]] ‡<ref name="Collins">{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-16/irish-pair-to-boost-magpies-bigman-stocks|title=Irish pair to boost Magpies' big-man stocks|last=Collins|first=Ben|date=16 October 2018|publisher=AFL Media|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>
|Cork
|{{AFL Col}}
|International rookie
|2019
| 20
| Declared homesickness as a reason to terminate contract and remain in Ireland. Returned to the AFL signing with {{AFL Ade}} prior to the [[2023 AFL season]].
|-
|2018
|[[Anton Tohill]]<ref name="Collins"/>
|Derry
|Collingwood
|International rookie
| 2019
| 1
| Turned down a one-year extension in 2021 and returned to Ireland to pursue a medical degree<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/319653|title=Tohill departs Collingwood to pursue studies at home|work=Hogan Stand|date=27 August 2021}}</ref>
|-  bgcolor="#CCFF99"
|2018
|[[Callum Brown (footballer, born 2000)|Callum Brown]] †<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-25/lost-in-translation-irish-giant-brown-breaks-ankles|title=Lost in translation: Irish Giant 'breaks ankles'|last=McGowan|first=Marc|date=25 October 2018|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|Derry
|Greater Western Sydney
|International rookie
| 2021
| 37
|
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2021
|[[Oisín Mullin]] ‡
|[[Mayo GAA|Mayo]]
|{{AFL Gee}}
|International rookie
|2023
|11
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/321106|title=Geelong Cats confirm signing of Mayo star Oisin Mullin|work=Hogan Stand|date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2023
|[[Matt Duffy (footballer)|Matt Duffy]] ‡
|Dromard
|{{AFL Car}}
|International rookie
| align="center" | –
| align="center" | –
|Ruptured [[anterior cruciate ligament]] after signing with Carlton. Expected to be in Australia for the [[2025 AFL season]].<ref>{{cite web|website=AFL|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1071776/injured-irishman-matt-duffy-still-committed-to-carlton-blues-eyes-2025-start|first=Riley|last=Beveridge|title=Injured Irishman still committed to Blues, eyes 2025 start|date=12 December 2023}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2023
|[[Rob Monahan]] ‡
|[[Kerry county football team|Kerry]]
|{{AFL Car}}
|International rookie
| align="center" | –
| align="center" | –
| <ref name=2024list>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/othersport/arid-41347184.html|date=7 March 2024|first=Maurice|last=Brosnan|title=Irish contingent striving for AFL success in 2024 |website=Irish Examiner}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2023
| [[Liam O'Connell]] ‡
|[[Cork county football team|Cork]]
|{{AFL Stk}}
|International rookie
| align="center" | –
| align="center" | –
|<ref name=2024list />
|- bgcolor="#ff9"
|2024
|[[Karl Gallagher]] ‡
|[[Monaghan county football team|Monaghan]]
|{{AFL Ade}}
|International rookie
| align="center" | –
| align="center" | –
|<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/01/08/monaghan-footballer-karl-gallagher-signs-two-year-deal-with-adelaide-crows/|title=Monaghan footballer Karl Gallagher signs two-year deal with Adelaide Crows|first=Gordon|last=Manning|date=8 January 2024}}</ref>
|}
===Other===
The following players have been connected with a VFL/AFL club, but never played a senior game.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!| Year linked with AFL || Player || GAA || Initial VFL/AFL club || Notes || {{abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| 1956 || Eugene King || || Footscray  ||
|
|-
| 1983 || Glenn Earley || || Melbourne  || Was not successful. Returned to Ireland.
|
|-
| 1985 || James Fahy || Dublin || Melbourne  ||
|
|-
| 1988 || Tom Grehan || Roscommon || Melbourne ||
|
|-
| 1989 || Niall Buckley || [[Kildare GAA|Kildare]] || Melbourne ||
|
|-
| 1989 || [[Colin Corkery]] || [[Cork GAA|Cork]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]]*  ||
|
|-
| 1989 || [[Colm McManamon]] || [[Mayo GAA|Mayo]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]]* ||
|
|-
| 1990 || [[Anthony Tohill]] || [[Derry GAA|Derry]] || Melbourne || Broke his leg playing Aussie Rules and returned to Ireland in 1991. ||<ref name="AFLcomau_IrishExperiment_Anthony Tohill">{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=69386 |title=Demons' regret is Ireland's gain |last=Roffey |first=Chelsea |author-link=Chelsea Roffey |date=16 November 2008 |publisher=[[Australian Football League]] |access-date=22 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928220139/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=69386 |archive-date=28 September 2012 }}</ref>
|-
| 2001 || Kevin Devine || Dublin || Melbourne ||
|
|-
| 2001 || Bernie Collins || Cork || style="background:#CFECEC;" | [[Western Bulldogs]] ||
|
|-
| 2002 || Nicholas Walsh || [[Cavan GAA|Cavan]] || Melbourne ||
|
|-
| 2002 || Declan O'Mahoney || Dublin || Sydney ||
|
|-
| 2004 || [[Aisake Ó hAilpín]] || Cork || Carlton || Brother of [[Setanta Ó hAilpín|Setanta]], and better known as a hurler. He returned to Ireland in 2009, then returned to Melbourne in 2011, where he played suburban club football. || <ref name="AFLcomau_14Oct2008_CarltonBlues_IrishExperiment"/>
|-
| 2005 || [[Seán Cavanagh]] || [[Tyrone GAA|Tyrone]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] || ||<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1014/cavanaghs.html | work=RTÉ News | title=Cavanagh turns down AFL offer | date=14 October 2005}}</ref>
|-
| 2005 || [[Brendan Quigley]] || [[Laois GAA|Laois]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] || ||
|-
| 2006 || [[Cathal Corr]] ||  || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]] || Played for [[Coburg Tigers]] in the [[Victorian Football League|VFL]]. ||
|-
| 2007 || [[Brendan Murphy (Carlow Gaelic footballer)|Brendan Murphy]] || [[Carlow GAA|Carlow]] || Sydney || Decided to return to Ireland after injuries hindered his attempt to adapt to the new code.||<ref name="sydneyswans.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/83551/default.aspx |title=Brendan Murphy to return to Ireland - Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club |access-date=2009-08-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706112656/http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/83551/default.aspx |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| 2007 || [[Kevin Dyas]] || [[Armagh GAA|Armagh]] || Collingwood || ||<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/clarke-opts-for-ireland-over-the-pies/2009/09/24/1253385082164.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | title=Clarke opts for Ireland over the Pies – RFNews – theage.com.au | date=25 September 2009 | first=Martin | last=Boulton}}</ref>
|-
| 2007 || [[Michael Shields (footballer)|Michael Shields]] || Cork || Carlton || ||<ref name="AFLcomau_14Oct2008_CarltonBlues_IrishExperiment"/>
|-
| 2007 || [[Conor Meredith]] || Laois || North Melbourne ||
|
|-
| 2008 || [[Kyle Coney]] || Tyrone || Sydney ||
|
|-
| 2008 || Brian Donnelly || [[Louth GAA|Louth]] || style="background:#CFECEC;"| [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]] || ||
|-
| 2008 || [[Ian Ryan (gaelic footballer)|Ian Ryan]] || [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] || Essendon || ||<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/ryan-and-quinn-on-brink-of-essendon-deals-after-trial-1461046.html | work=Irish Independent | first=Colm | last=Keys | title=Ryan and Quinn on brink of Essendon deals after trial | date=22 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickindependent.com/sport/sport/gaa-ballpoint/ |title=GAA Ballpoint - Limerick Independent News |access-date=2009-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315012451/http://www.limerickindependent.com/sport/sport/gaa-ballpoint/ |archive-date=15 March 2009 }}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || Carl Dias || Dublin || Adelaide || Trialled in Australia by Adelaide but not offered a rookie contract|| <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20080725011846284|title=Irish recruits land in Adelaide
|date=25 July 2008|first=Brett|last=Northey|publisher=World Footy News}}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || [[Chrissy McKaigue]] || [[Derry GAA|Derry]] || Sydney || Hurler and footballer offered a rookie contract. Trialled in Australia by Sydney. Signed a rookie contract in September 2009.
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/afl-scouts-eye-gaa-young-guns-13947550.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719135646/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/afl-scouts-eye-gaa-young-guns-13947550.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=AFL scouts eye GAA young guns |first=John |last=Campbell |date=22 August 2008 }}</ref><ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2008 || [[James Kielt]] || Derry || St Kilda || Trained with both St Kilda and North Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/597/5764/2008/11/18/603146_363785096317Brennanno.html |title=Irish News |access-date=2009-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030753/http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/597/5764/2008/11/18/603146_363785096317Brennanno.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-118-0-0-0&sID=60264&articleID=7418885&news_task=DETAIL|title=AFL permission to train list announced|date=13 January 2009|via=mygameday.app}}</ref>
|-
| 2009 || [[David Moran (Gaelic footballer)|David Moran]] || Kerry || St Kilda || ||<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2009 || [[Ger Cafferkey]] || Mayo || St Kilda || ||<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2009 || [[Paul Cribbin]] || Kildare || Collingwood
|Agreed to join the club in 2010<ref>http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/magpies-consider-irish-schoolboy/2009/06/02/1243708459231.html{{dead link|date=September 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/sport/gaa/kildare-starlet-cribbin-to-join-collingwood-27952770.html|title=Kildare starlet Cribbin to join Collingwood|newspaper=[[Irish Independent]]|date=27 May 2010|first=Catherine|last=Murphy|access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 2009 || Sean O'Kennedy || Donegal || Collingwood || ||<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2009 || [[James McCarthy (Gaelic footballer)|James McCarthy]] || Dublin || North Melbourne || ||<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2009 || [[Barry Reilly (Gaelic footballer)|Barry Reilly]] || Cavan || North Melbourne || ||<ref name="worldfootynews.com"/>
|-
| 2010 || [[Paul Cribbin]] || Kildare || [[Collingwood Football Club]] ||
|
|-
| 2011 || [[John Heslin]] || Westmeath || [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]] || Returned home, citing homesickness as his reason to pursue a GAA career
|
|-
| 2012 || [[Ciarán Kilkenny]] || Dublin || [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]] || Decided for personal reasons to remain in Ireland where he wished to pursue a career with Castleknock and Dublin.
|<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2013/0110/362077-kilkenny-ends-his-tenure-down-under/ | work=RTÉ News | title=Ciarán Kilkenny leaves AFL club Hawthorn to return to Dublin | date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
|-
| 2014 || [[Daniel Flynn (footballer)|Daniel Flynn]] || Kildare || [[Port Adelaide Football Club|Port Adelaide]] || Returned home citing homesickness
|
|-
| 2014 || Padraig Lucey || Killarney || Geelong ||
|
|-
| 2014 || Cian Hanley || Mayo || Brisbane Lions || Brother of [[Pearce Hanley]]
|
|-
| 2015 || Sean Hurley || Kildare || Fremantle ||
|
|-
| 2015 || Paddy Brophy || Kildare || West Coast Eagles ||
|
|-
|2016
|Ray Connellan
|Westmeath
|St Kilda
|Delisted at the end of the 2018 season, then played half a season for Essendon in the VFL
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-26/irish-saint-loses-halo-but-wants-another-crack|title=Irish Saint loses halo, but wants another crack|last=Navaratnam|first=Dinny|date=26 August 2018|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|[[Cillian McDaid]]
|Galway
|Carlton
|Left at the end of the 2018 season to return to Ireland
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-15/irish-blue-suffers-serious-injury-in-gaelic-match|title=Irish Blue suffers serious injury after retiring|last=Davidson|first=Ryan|date=15 October 2018|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|[[Red Óg Murphy]]
|Sligo
|North Melbourne
|Left at the end of the 2019 season to return to Ireland
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-23/red-og-off-irish-roo-leaves-mid-contract|title=Red Og off: Irish Roo leaves mid contract|last=McGowan|first=Marc|date=23 August 2019|publisher=AFL Media|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|[[Stefan Okunbor]]
|[[Kerry county football team|Kerry]]
|{{AFL Gee}}
|Contract ended in 2021, returned to play for Kerry.
|
|-
|2019
|Luke Towey
|[[Sligo county football team|Sligo]]
|{{AFL GC}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-10-10/the-next-pearce-hanley-gold-coast-signs-quick-athletic-irishman|title=The next Pearce Hanley? Gold Coast signs quick, athletic Irishman|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=10 October 2019|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|Cian McBride
|Meath
|{{AFL Ess}}
|Delisted
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-10-11/mcbride-to-be-a-bomber-essendon-to-sign-197cm-strongmarking-irishman|title=McBride to be ... a Bomber: Essendon to sign 197&nbsp;cm, strong-marking Irishman|last=McGowan|first=Marc|date=11 October 2019|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|[[Ross McQuillan (Gaelic footballer)|Ross McQuillan]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-22/the-next-conor-mckenna-dons-in-the-box-seat-to-sign-irish-jet|title=The next Conor McKenna? Dons in the box seat to sign Irish jet|last=McGowan|first=Marc|date=22 July 2019|publisher=AFL Media}}</ref>
|Armagh
|{{AFL Ess}}
| Prevented by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] from playing in cancelled reserve competition while there.
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/315016|title=Armagh's McQuillan returns home after AFL stint|work=Hogan Stand|date=3 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|[[Deividas Uosis]]
|Dingle
|Brisbane
|Rookied but not offered a senior contract, delisted 2022
|
|-
|2021
|[[Ultan Kelm]]
|[[Fermanagh county football team|Fermanagh]]
|Fremantle
|Hip injury delayed rookie listing until 2022
|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/320720|title=Fermanagh's Kelm joins AFL side Fremantle Dockers|work=Hogan Stand|date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2021
| Fionn O'Hara
| Westmeath
| Hawthorn
| Learning his craft at [[Box Hill Hawks]]
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/players/5687/fionn-o-hara | title=Fionn O'Hara &#124; AFL }}</ref>
|}
==AFLW==
As of 2018/2019 the [[AFL Women's|AFLW]] was actively recruiting [[ladies Gaelic football]]ers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/sarah-rowe-mayo-aflw-collingwood-4211482-Aug2018/|title=Mayo star Rowe to follow in Staunton's footsteps by joining AFLW side Collingwood|access-date=11 October 2019|publisher=the42.ie|date=31 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/dublin-sinead-goldrick-niamh-mcevoy-aflw-melbourne-fc-4832368-Oct2019/|title=All-Ireland winning Dublin duo sign for AFLW side Melbourne - making it 18 Irish for 2020|publisher=the42.ie|access-date=9 October 2019|date=2 October 2019}}</ref> primarily due to the success of [[Laura Duryea]] who originally found success in the sport while travelling in Australia, and recent increase in the success rate of the men's programs.
==See also==
* [[List of players who have converted from one football code to another#Gaelic football to Australian rules football|List of players who have converted from one football code to another]]
* [[Comparison of Australian rules football and Gaelic football]]
* [[Australian rules football in Ireland]]
{{Ladies' Gaelic football to Australian rules football}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Comparison of Gaelic football and Australian rules football]]
[[Category:History of Australian rules football]]
[[Category:Gaelic football]]
[[Category:Lists of players of Australian rules football]]
[[Category:Lists of Gaelic football players]]