Footballer casts doubt over return to GAA from Australia

Cork footballer Erika O'Shea has admitted she is unsure if she will be returning to the Cork panel next season from Australia.

O'Shea is currently preparing for her second season with North Melbourne in the AFLW, which gets underway in August. Alongside Vikki Wall, she was a key part of the side that reached the preliminary finals last season.

She returned to the Cork side for their league campaign and was involved with her county until May. The scheduling of the new season saw several Irish players return home to play for their county before returning to their respective clubs.

However, speaking to Breakingnews, the 21-year-old says her main focus is currently with North Melbourne, and will have to make a decision on her Cork future.

"It's something that's really hard to do, to jump between both", said O'Shea. "I came back to AFL and I was going back to my habits in football.

"I kick with the inside of my foot and that's not what coaches want, it's not what you're supposed to do in AFL. Small things like that stick with you.

"Going back into football, it was hard not to just tackle someone. I remember in Cork training, the first week I was back I grabbed someone by the neck and I just thought oh my god.

"The sports are very similar but also very different. You tackle differently at Cork training and at AFL I was kicking with the inside of my foot and hand passing with the front of my hand or slapping the ball which you aren't allowed to do.

"There's a balance between the two, and I don't know if I will be able to do it again to be honest. I found it really difficult coming back from one to the other. At the moment, I will probably have to make a decision to chose one or the other."

Fortunately for Erika, time is on her