The news that Donegal LGFA were dreading but perhaps expecting was confirmed today when Amy Boyle-Carr penned a new two-year deal with AFLW side the Adelaide Crows and ruled herself out of the 2025 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship.
The three-time Ulster champion has committed herself to a full AFLW pre-season starting on Mary 19 leaving Donegal to find a replacement as well as a new manager after the shock resignation of John McNulty.
Boyle-Carr arrived in South Australia in mid-July when she was memorably greeted at Adelaide Airport by her Crows teammates holding aloft handmade ‘ABC, ‘Carrnage’ and ‘Boyeling’ signs to welcome the Irish rookie to Australia.
The transition to an alien sport, 10,000 miles across the other side of the world, and a limited pre-season was never going to be easy, but Boyle-Carr rose to the challenge and featured in six regular season matches despite being overlooked for the Crows finals campaign.
Adelaide Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper believes the Glenties winger will benefit from a full pre-season next year in her quest to establish herself as a regular starter.
“We were really pleased with what she showed this season and are looking forward to seeing her grow and develop over the next two years,” Haper said.
“Amy had never played Aussie Rules before she arrived in Australia earlier this year, so to pick it up as quickly as she did is a real credit to how hard she worked.
“She brings speed and agility to our team, and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do next season with a proper pre-season under her belt.”
Another potential headache for Donegal is the availability of captain Niamh McLaughlin who recently signed a one-year contract extension for the Gold Coast Suns.
McLaughlin, 31, finished third on the Gold Coast Best & Fairest player count at the end of the AFLW season
GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago is yet to confirm when McLaughlin is scheduled to return to the Suns ahead of the 2025 AFLW season.