Australian rules football in Ireland

Australian rules football in Ireland
Ireland's Mike Finn takes a strong pack mark against South Africa in a 2008 International Cup match
Country	Ireland
Governing body	AFL Ireland
National team(s)	Ireland
First played	1999, Dublin & Belfast
Registered players	~200
Clubs	9

In Ireland, Australian rules football (Irish: Peil rialacha na hAstráile) (known locally as "Aussie Rules") began in 1999 when clubs were simultaneously formed in Dublin and Belfast, however awareness of it dates back to the 20th century due to similarities with Gaelic football and hyrbid matches played between Irish and Australian teams. It has subsequently becoming a source of players for professional leagues in Australia, particularly the Australian Football League (AFL) and later the AFL Women's (AFLW) through the Irish Experiment which is ongoing. It attracts a television audience, particularly the AFLW competition (but also the men's AFL) through TG4.^[1] There are two governing bodies, AFL Ireland (which is a member of AFL Europe) and AFL Northern Ireland, with teams and competitions in Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Galway and Killarney. The game in Ireland is typically played in a modified 9-a-side footy format on rectangular fields.

While coexisting with and relying heavily on players from Gaelic games, Ireland has become one of the most decorated nations in Australian rules with the national team, formed in 2001, winning second most men's international titles (2) and most women's international titles (2) as well as the most European Championship titles (2) and Euro Cup women's titles (4). Professional AFL/AFLW players to have represented Ireland internationally include Laura Duryea, Clara Fitzpatrick and Padraig Lucey.

Jim Stynes (the first to win an AFL best and fairest) along with Tadgh Kennelly (first to win an AFL premiership), achieved a level of fame at home and in turn raised the profile of the AFL.^[2][3][4] Ailish Considine was the first to win an AFLW premiership achieving similar fame.^[5] Current player Zach Tuohy holds the Irish born and raised record for the most games while Jim Stynes holds the record for most goals with 130. Sarah Rowe holds the AFL Women's record for most games and Cora Staunton holds the record for most goals with 55. There were a record 33 Irish players listed with clubs for the 2023 AFLW season.^[6]