Tipperary's Aishling Moloney aiming to build on instant impact made in Australia

While many Irish athletes have made the move to Australia, not many could have dreamed of having the impact of Tipperary's Aishling Moloney.

Signed by Geelong Cats for the 2023 season, the Tipperary forward made an instant impact at the club, being named the AFL Players Association's best first year player, helping Geelong reach the preliminary final.

Moloney has wasted no time in the new year, and was in action for Tipperary for the first round of the Lidl National League against Cavan last weekend.

Speaking to Breakingnews.ie, Moloney says there was never a question about taking time off after a busy 2023, as she was determined to return to action for her county.

"It's lovely to be back and getting back into it again. I arrived home just before Christmas, so I got back into it straight away, and nice to play in the cold weather as well.

"I was playing for Tipp, at the start of the year I committed to that, so it wasn't even a question at all. Growing up, you are playing all year round for seven/eight years of your life, with school, college, club and county."

It can often take time to settle into a new country, especially on the other side of the world, but Aishling faced a further challenge of taking on a whole new sport.

To succeed, she says she was keen to learn, and despite her incredible performances last season, she is determined to improve even further for her return later this year.

"It was a massive challenge to pick up a new sport and move to the other side of the world, away from family and friends.

"Going out there, I had no expectations of myself. But with the will to learn, every day I went to training, I was never satisfied with where I was at, I always wanted to learn more.

"I couldn't have anticipated