Collingwood’s newest recruit Finnbarr Roarty has arrived at the Club all the way from Ireland, joining a star-studded list of recruits from Gaelic football origins.

The Pies have had five Irish players suit up at AFL level over the journey and four in the AFLW, while they also have Ellie Brady currently on the list who is set to debut.

Ahead of Roarty’s potential debut in 2027, we’re looking back at all the careers in black and white from Irish players.

Martin Clarke – County Down (73 games)

The first and most-tenured of the Pies’ male Irish players, Clarke first visited Australia in the mid-2000s and made his senior debut in 2007.

Rising quickly, he played 46 games between 2007-09 before returning home to resume playing Gaelic.

He would be back however, returning to the Club in 2012 and adding another 27 games to his tally across three more seasons.

A skilful player, Clarke played in five finals throughout his career.

Caolon Mooney – County Down (six games)

Mooney travelled to Australia to trial with the Pies in 2010 and signed a rookie contract in August, however he wouldn’t move permanently until November the following year.

In June 2012, Mooney played his first of six games in the black and white before moving back to him home county Down in 2014.

Sarah Rowe – County Mayo (82* games)

Rowe has been a trailblazer in the AFLW, making her debut in the competition’s third season of 2019.

A multi-talented athlete, Rowe arrived at Collingwood with both Gaelic and soccer experience behind her and hit the ground running as the Club’s best first-year player that season.

She has since become one of the faces of the league and a leader in the Club, playing over 80 games and continually improving her game as a strong runner and smart ball user.

Aishling Sheridan – County Cavan (47 games)

Not long after Rowe, Sheridan joined the black and white and made her debut in the 2020 season.

Sheridan quickly became one of the sides most reliable players and barely missed a game across her four years at the Club.

AT the end of the 2023 season, Sheridan returned home to be closer to family and closed her time in the AFLW after 47 games.

Mark Keane – County Cork (five games)

Keane joined the Club at the end of 2018 after a two-week trial on the back of the Pies’ runners’ up season.

While he didn’t play during 2019, Keane grew his game to make his debut in Round 9, 2020 against Fremantle.

A strong defender, Keane only managed five games before returning home during the 2022 pre-season. He has since returned to the AFL, playing for Adelaide since 2023 and becoming one of their most reliable defenders.

Anton Tohill – County Derry (one game)

Tohill only played one senior game, however spent plenty of time at the Club.

First identified at a combine in Dublin, Tohill then flew to the AFL Academy Camp in Florida where he continued to impress before joining the black and white.

Playing plenty of VFL between 2019 – 21, Tohill got his chance at the top level at the end of the 2021 season when he made his debut against Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.

He declined a one-year extension at the end of that campaign however, instead returning home to study and play Gaelic.

Muireann Atkinson – County Monaghan (16 games)

Atkinson joined the Club ahead of the 2024 campaign and started her career admirably, taking on powerhouse Chloe Molloy on debut against Sydney.

Playing 10 games in her maiden campaign and then six last season, Atkinson was a strong defender and determined member of the side throughout her time in black and white.

Kellyann Hogan – County Waterford (nine games*)

Hogan was recruited ahead of the 2025 season and is the midst of her second year on the Pies’ list.

Hampered by injuries in both years, Hogan has shown her class when on the park with her speed a key attribute.

She recently kicked her maiden AFLW goal in Round 9 against St Kilda.

Ellie Brady – County Cavan (set to debut)

Ellie Brady arrived at the Pies at the end of 2025 and will make her AFLW debut in Round 12 of the 2026 season.

The 20-year-old out of Ballyhaise has speed and exuberance and kicked two goals from her five VFLW games throughout the year.

She’ll join Sarah Rowe and Kellyann Hogan in the side and debuts in the same week Roarty landed in the country.

Other notable Irish players

Irishmen Kevin Dyas and Paul Cribbin were on the Pies’ AFL list throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, however both failed to make an appearance at senior level.

Dennis Lanigan meanwhile played 11 games for the Club in 1897 after being born in County Tipperary 23 years earlier.