Growing AFLW drain a worrying championship concern

Three days out from the 2019 All-Ireland final, Dublin footballer Carla Rowe's attention was temporarily shifted from taking on Galway in Croke Park to the AFLW.

An approach was made, with the offer of a two-week trial to gauge her interest and adaptability.

At the time there were no Irish players Down Under, with team-mates Sinead Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy yet to make the switch.

Rowe’s decision to return to college and burning ambition to achieve all she could in Ireland – at the time she had just one of her five All-Ireland medals – meant the overture was rejected with no regrets, but the landscape has changed significantly since then.

Last year there were 33 Irish players spread across 13 clubs, with another two, Armagh’s Aimee Mackin (Melbourne) and Laois’ Erone Fitzpatrick (Carlton) on the inactive list after suffering ACL injuries.

Next year that figure will rise to 45, while the earlier start to the season - Round 1 is set for 11 August – means that juggling both codes will become increasingly difficult.

"It was a no for me (in 2018) but I can understand and see why players are going over there," says Rowe.

"It was fine when it was county season and Australia had their season, but now the AFLW have the numbers and backing and can now move the season.

"That will make our players make choices and that is not nice for players. We have Jennifer Dunne over there (Brisbane Lions) and we will wait and give time but you don’t want someone to make a choice, they don’t want to make a choice but that is what it is coming down to."

In December it was confirmed that Kerry’s All-Ireland winner Kayleigh Cronin, player of the match in victory over Galway last September, will link up with Adelaide Crows.

The All-Star defender from Dr