Collingwood AFLW winger Sarah Rowe has been selected to represent Ireland in the upcoming NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match.
The selection is another milestone in Rowe’s elite sporting resume, having excelled across multiple sporting codes including Ladies Gaelic Football, A-League soccer and as a Magpie in the AFLW.
Joining the Pies in 2019, she impressively adapted her skills to Australian Football, earning Collingwood’s Best First-Year Player award in her debut year. Notching her 75th game last season, she became the second Irish player to do so in the league.
Hailing from the north of Ireland in Ballina of Mayo County, she represented Mayo in multiple Gaelic national finals and also claimed the A-League Women Championship title in 2025 with the Central Coast Mariners.
She will now once again pull on the green guernsey, joining some of the biggest Irish names in the league, including fellow 75-gamer Orla O’Dwyer, as well as other Mayo locals Niamh Kelly and Dayna Finn.
Rowe said this selection is a huge honour.
“It’s a huge honour to represent Ireland and acknowledge the impact we have had in helping grow the AFLW game,” Rowe said.
“Any opportunity to wear the green guernsey is so special. As an athlete, you dream of representing your country, and to have the chance to do it again in footy is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“I can’t wait to play with some of the best Irish talent in Australia. I know we’ll have the Irish luck on our side.”
Collingwood’s EGM of Women's Football Jess Burger said she was excited to see Rowe present her nation.
“We’re so happy for ‘Rowey’ to be selected for such a significant honour. This selection is a deserving reward for her long-standing commitment to AFLW and recognises her role as a pioneer for Irish talent in the league,” Burger said.
“She’s incredibly proud of her Irish heritage and has always brought her family, teammates and the wider community along with her throughout her journey.
“This is a special moment for her and we look forward to seeing her pull on the green jersey as we celebrate her contribution to AFLW.”
Tickets are on sale from Wednesday, 24 June via Ticketmaster. Club and AFL members will have ticket access from 10am AEST, before the general public at 12pm AEST.
The 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match will start at 4.15pm AEST on Saturday, 1 August at North Sydney Oval, with the game to be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies and Binge.
