Lauren McConville still thinks she’s dreaming but when former Donegal skipper Niamh McLaughlin knocked unannounced on her door last week, the Armagh vice-captain was confronted with the sweetest reality.
McLaughlin was carrying the very Gold Coast Suns shirt that McConville wore on her AFLW debut last week in the Suns thrilling round three draw against Saint Kilda at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
McConville, niece of Armagh legend Oisin McConville, came off the interchange bench to collect 8 disposals (4 kicks & 4 handballs), 1 mark and 1 tackle in midfield. The Crossmaglen star (29) also kicked a behind in an encouraging debut performance.
McConville only arrived in Australia in the second week of August to start pre-season training and ever since she has taken to Australian rules like a duck to water.
“I was just wondering if you want to play in the same team this weekend,” McLaughlin jokingly asked after knocking on McConville’s door clutching the latter’s No.32 bright red and gold Suns shirt in her left hand.
McConville’s reaction was priceless.
“Yes, absolutely, you caught me off guard, oh my God” she said.
“It’s obviously been really unexpected for me.
“I’ve been working really hard since I got here, but I’ve really been enjoying myself and trying to take all of the comments and advice onboard from both the coaches and the girls, so to see that finally starting to pay off means a lot.
“I can’t wait to go out there and represent The Suns.”
And McConville jokingly added: “I suppose I’m finally gonna to have to phone home now! They have been watching every week and they will be so proud”
In other news The Adelaide Crows have confirmed that Donegal footballer Amy Boyle-Carr will make her AFLW debut in the Crows round 4 fixture at home to the Essendon Bombers at Thomas Farms Oval on Sunday.
Boyle-Carr, a three-time Ulster champion with Donegal, winning player of the match in the 2019 Ulster final, has been patiently learning the naunces of Australian rules since arriving in mid-July.
“Amy has been in really good form in the scrimmages and she’s come a long way in a short period of time,” Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said.
“The coaches have been terrific for her, her teammates have helped her all the way but the bottom line is that most of the work has been done by her.
“She brings a lot of speed into our team and it’s a great story now.
“We feel confident we can pick her and she’ll add value to the team.”
Adelaide AFLW Senior Coach Matthew Clark believes Boyle-Carr’s meteoric rise proves how Gaelic football skills are transferrable to the AFL in both the men’s and women’s leagues.
“Amy came out from Ireland about eight weeks ago and she’s learnt how to kick the footy,” Clark said.
“We are really looking forward to her playing, she’s got lots of really strong attributes although she’s only been with us for a short period of time.
“She’s been playing Gaelic almost through the whole year, so in terms of her conditioning and preparation to play the game out, she’ll be no worries.
“Amy just worked really hard at her basic skill development, and she’s just come along really quickly, it’s exciting and the speed to which she has adapted to the game has probably been the highlight.”
Boyle Carr will feature alongside Mayo’s Niamh Kelly as a dynamic duo of Irish talent in the Crows midfield.
Kelly was the only Irish woman to rank in the top fifty of the best AFLW players according to respected journalist Lauren Wood.
“Amy probably spends a little bit of time on the wing, she’s also played half-back, so those are the two positions that she’ll play this weekend,” Clarke said.
“I’d imagine at some point in the game we might have two Irish wingers.”