The Irish national Australian rules football team represent Ireland in Australian rules football and is usually selected from the best Irish born and raised players primarily from the clubs of the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland but also playing abroad.
The men's team formed in 2001, going through the Atlantic Alliance Cup undefeated in 2001 to become European champions before also taking the 2002 AFL International Cup where it has made the finals ever since including a 2011 championship. In the early 2010s it was a European powerhouse, winning back-to-back AFL Europe championships in 2010 and 2013 and Euro Cup championships in 2011 and 2012. In 2022 it won the AFL Europe championship and 2023, the EU Cup. It has formed intense international rivalries with Papua New Guinea and New Zealand and European rivalries with Great Britain and Denmark and remains in the top five nations in the sport.
The women's team formed in 2011 for its International Cup debut and is equally successful, being crowned European champions in 2019 and 2022 (the most of any women's side) in addition to a record 6 Euro Cup championships. It has made the final in every International Cup with 2 International Cup forming a strong rivalry with Canada.Alfa Irish Banshees Win The 2017 AFL International Cup from Kildare News 23 August 2017Ireland name squads to compete in AFL 'World Cup' from Irish News 26 July 2017
The performance of the Irish team is often influenced by the availability of experienced players from Gaelic games, especially Gaelic football, due to the similarities between the two sports. While the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Australian Football League (AFL) maintain a long-standing relationship through International rules football matches, Ireland's Australian rules football team is typically composed of club-level Gaelic footballers. This cross-sport familiarity contributes to Ireland's competitive standing at the international level.
A women's team representing the Irish footballers competing in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition will contest their first representative match against Australia in August 2026.
Identity The team was first nicknamed "Fianna na hÉireann" (Irish for "Fianna of Ireland") after a band of heroic warriors in Irish mythology. In 2005, it was renamed the "Green Machine" however in 2014 it reverted to "Ireland Warriors" and has retained this nickname since.
The team wears a green (one of the national colours of Ireland) guernsey with a Celtic strip featuring the Irish harp symbol. For the 2022 AFL European Championships, both men's and women's teams adopted a darker green, ditching the harp for a more traditional Australian rules guernsey consisting of a white and orange chevron across the chest.Cork players on Irish Aussie Rules side aiming for Euro glory from EchoLive.ie 1 September 2022
History
The Irish team won the Atlantic Alliance Cup in 2001 to become the Northern Hemisphere champions.
In the following year, the team participated in the inaugural Australian Football International Cup and finished first, leaving the competition as international champions. The team benefited from the availability of several Gaelic football players.
In 2005, Ireland finished fourth. An increasingly competitive New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the United States of America finished ahead of Ireland and the team suffered from injury and the Gaelic Athletic Association discouraging the use of Gaelic players.
The Green Machine's best and fairest player (from the 2005 International Cup) is Mike Finn.
Recently the national team played a curtain raiser at the West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle exhibition match at the Oval in London where they beat the British Bulldogs.
The Warriors finished fourth again at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup and the best and fairest player was once again Mike Finn. Three Irish players were selected in the All-International team.
The Warriors won the inaugural European Championships in 2010 defeating Denmark in the final 11.2(68) to 8.3(51). Warriors captain Cian Quigley was named Best on Ground in the final. Three Irish players were named on the Team of the Tournament.
In 2011 the Warriors won the fourth International Cup beating PNG 8.5 (53) to 5.5 (35). Mike Finn was named Best on Ground in the final. Three Irish players were selected in the All-International team.
The Warriors returned to the International Cup in 2014 fielding a strong team.Strong Ireland teams bound for Aussie Rules World Cup from The 42 9 August 2014
Test results
Year Result Venue2005Ireland 8.9.(57) defeated Great Britain 5.6.(36)London, UK2006Ireland defeated Great BritainLondon, UK2007Great Britain 11.15 (81) defeated Ireland 2.9(21)Dublin, Ireland2009Ireland 8.6 (54) defeated Great Britain 4.9 (33)Dublin, Ireland
Men's International honours
Year Finish Atlantic Alliance Cup Coach Manager2001 1st Michael Johnson (C), Shane O'Laughlin, Dominic O'Laughlin, Dermot O'Laughlin, Michael Currane, Fergal Bradshaw, Joe Cunnane, Aaron Flood, Derek Mulligan, Alan Kelly, Denis Reidy, Fergal Killoury, Diarmuid Griffin, Liam O'Connor, Brian Currane, Derek Collentine, Alan Coomey, Emmet Humphries, Declan Cotter, Steve Brennan, Kieran Brennan, Paul Crowley, James McCartan Jr., Will Hayes, Robert Toal, David Walsh RESULTS: IRE 18.16(124) d. GB 2.3(15), IRE 9.9(63) d. USA 4.5(29), IRE 8.9(57) d. DEN 1.4(10), IRE 7.21(63) d. CAN 1.5(11) *FINAL: IRE 6.12(48) d. DEN 3.1(19)Darren FitzpatrickDave Tierney Year FinishAustralian Football International Cup Coach Manager2002 1st Michael Johnson (C), Neil McFlynn, Donal Boylan, Dualtach Johnson, Barry Denham (VC), Ryan McFlynn, Michael Currane, Fergal Bradshaw, Joe Cunnane, Aaron Flood, Derek Mulligan, Alan Kelly, Denis Reidy, Fergal Killoury, Diarmuid Griffin, Gary Lane, Liam O'Connor, Brian Currane, Declan O'Sullivan, Paul Kiely, John Lack O'Sullivan, Alan Coomey, Emmet Humphries, Declan Cotter, Brian Shortall, Seán McPhillips, Brian Boyle, David Stynes, Damien Burns. RESULTS: IRE 7.14(56) def CAN 4.7(31), IRE 5.6(36) def SAM 4.5(29), IRE 7.7(49) d. USA 6.3(39), IRE 15.8(98) def SA 3.3(21), IRE 4.10(34) def NZ 3.2(20) *FINAL: IRE 7.9(51) def PNG 2.7(19)Darren FitzpatrickDamien Cassidy2005 4thMark Ryan, Dennis Goggin, Phillip Whelan, James Flavin, Ciaran Drummey, Declan Drummey, John Enright, John Fahy, Seán Fallon, Dennis Kenelly, Gerrard Johnston, Ronan Johnston, Ciaran Keegan, Pat Leavy, Diarmuid Griffin (v/c), Shaun McElhone, Brian O'Connell (c), Clifford Richardson, Darragh O'Hagan, Paul O'Mahoney, Rory Rafter, David Whelan, Ian O'Sullivan, Derek Troy, Mark Kilgallon, Cian Quigley, Mike Finn, David Stynes, Ruairi Convery RESULTS: IRE 4.7(31) def CAN 3.5(23), USA 2.5(17) def IRE 1.7(13), IRE 10.9(69) def SA 1.4(10), IRE 7.11(53) def Japan 1.0(6), PNG 5.4(34) def IRE 3.7(25), USA 10.5(65) def IRE 4.6(30)Krizan VekicDiarmuid O Riain2008 4th Seán Fallon, Ray Colleran, Clifford Richardson, Garret Kelleher, Alan Lavin, Joe Cunnane, Padraig Hannon, Cian Quigley, Mike Finn, David Lally, John Enright, Michael Currane, Paul O'Mahony, Patrick Leavy, Diarmuid Griffin, Ray Saurin, Ian O'Sullivan Paddy Gibbs, Brian O'Connell, Denis Goggin, James Flavin, Alan Tierney, James O'Byrne, Stephen Keegan, David Walsh, Alex Whooley, Brian Currane, Liam Twoomey, Daire Ó hAodhagáin, Martin Ruane, Ciarán Keegan RESULTS: SA 4.9(33) def IRE 5.2(32), NZ 8.9(57) def IRE 2.3(15), IRE 4.6(30) def CAN 12.2(14), IRE 13.20(98) def FIN 0.0(0), IRE 12.12(84) def SWE 1.0(6)Roger ClarkeCiarán Ó Headhra Paul Ryan2011 1st Cian Quigley, Aidan Hickey, Clifford Richardson, Fergal McManus, John Heslin, Joe Cunnane, Paul Sharry, Alex Whooley, Mike Finn, Fearghal Purcell, John Enright, Darren Sheils, Barry Holland, Roch Hanmore, Philip Bredin, David McElhone, Larry Kavanagh, Manus Breathnach, Eoin Ó Súileabháin, Niall McDonagh, Joe Rocks, James Flavin, David Coffey, James O'Byrne, Seán McGuinness, John Tierney, Gerard Walls, Kevin O'Brien, Alan Coomey, David Stynes, Michael Carey, Brendan Nannery, Gerard Lenihan RESULTS: IRE 14.9(93) def. East Timor 0.0(0), IRE 8.6(54) d. GB 1.0(6), IRE 15.14(104) d. SWE 1.0(6), IRE 11.6(72) d. DEN 1.3(9), IRE 5.16(46) d. NZ 2.1(13) *FINAL: IRE 8.5(53) d. PNG 5.5(35)Tom MadiganCiarán Ó Headhra2014 2nd 2017 3rd Year Finish AFL Europe Championship Coach Manager 2010 1st 2013 1st 2016 2nd 2019 3rd 2022 1st Year Finish Transatlantic Cup Coach Manager2024 1st
Women's International honours Year Finish Atlantic Alliance Cup Coach Manager2011 1stEmma Kelly, Ciara McGurk, Aimee-Louise Hazley, Laura Corrigan, Natlie Behan, Marie Keating, Gillian Behan, Nuala O'Hagan, Emma Behan, Claire Cunningham Louise Loughlin, Ashlene Groogan, Fiona Cotter, Kate Fitzsimons, U. McKay, S. Ryan, N. Ryan, A. Sheils, Kerr, Aitken, Tracey RESULTS: IRE 4.7(31) def CAN 1.2(8), IRE 19.13(127) def AUS 0.1(1), IRE 12.8(80) def PNG 2.0(12), IRE 5.5(35) def USA 2.4(16) *FINAL IRE 5.9(39) def CAN 1.2(8).Andrew HickeyShaun Saurin2014 2nd2017 1st Year Finish Transatlantic Cup Coach Manager2024 1st
Irish players selected for All-International Team Year Player2017 Australian Football International Cup Women's World Team Carol Breen, Laura Corrigan, Clara Fitzpatrick, Colleen Quinn, Brendan Kelly2017 Australian Football International Cup Padraig Lucey, Paul O'Hallaron, Fiachra O'Dheasmhunaigh2014 Australian Football International Cup Women's World Team Fiona Roarty, Paula Keatley, Laura Corrigan, Emma Kelly, Aimee Hazely2014 Australian Football International CupMike Finn, Brendan Browne, Padraig Lucey, David Stynes2011 Australian Football International Cup Women's World TeamLaura Corrigan, Natlie Behan, Marie Keating, Gillian Behan, Nuala O'Hagan, Louise Loughlin, Emma Kelly, Ashlene Groogan2008 Australian Football International CupMike Finn, Ian O'Sullivan, Cian Quigley2005 Australian Football International CupClifford Richardson, Mike Finn2002 Australian Football International CupMichael Johnson, Aaron Flood, Liam O'Connor, David Stynes
Ireland AFLW team The growth of women's Australian rules football, chiefly through the expansion of the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition in Australia, has provided an outlet for a significant amount of Irish female Gaelic footballers to develop a professional career playing Australian football. In 2026 an Irish women's national team, to be selected from Irish footballers playing in the AFLW, will compete against Australia in the first representative fixture between the two nations. The team is coached by Colin O'Riordan. +SquadNo.NameAgeClubCounty1.Aisling McCarthy30 Fremantle DockersTipperary2.Orlagh Lally25 Fremantle DockersMeath3.Kayleigh Cronin29 Adelaide CrowsKerry4.Niamh Martin25 HawthornTipperary5.Grace Kos24 Greater Western Sydney GiantsDublin6.Eilish O'Dowd28 Greater Western Sydney GiantsLeitrim7.Sarah Rowe31 CollingwoodMayo8.Aine McDonagh27 HawthornGalway9.Orla O'Dwyer (C)28 Brisbane LionsTipperary10.Bláithín Bogue26 North MelbourneFermanagh11.Clara Fitzpatrick35 Gold Coast SunsDown12.Jennifer Dunne26 Brisbane LionsDublin13.Vikki Wall28 North MelbourneMeath14.Erika O'Shea24 North MelbourneCork15.Paris McCarthy22 Sydney SwansKerry17.Dayna Finn25 CarltonMayo19.Erone Fitzpatrick25 CarltonLaois20.Niamh McLaughlin32 Gold Coast SunsDonegal21.Amy Gavin Mangan27 North MelbourneOffaly22.Rachel Kearns29 Geelong CatsMayo23.Niamh Kelly30 Adelaide CrowsMayo24.Amy Boyle-Carr25 Adelaide CrowsDonegal25.Aisling Reidy25 CarltonClare26.Neasa Dooley26 Brisbane LionsKildare45.Aishling Moloney28 Geelong CatsTipperaryINJSinead Goldrick36 MelbourneDublinINJGrace Kelly32 Adelaide CrowsMayoINJTanya Kennedy33 Sydney SwansDonegal INJ - Player forced to withdraw from Original Squad due to Injury
Support Staff Coach: Colin O'Riordan (Sydney)
Assistants: Craig Starcevich (Brisbane), Tadhg Kennelly (GWS academy, Irish Sydney premiership player), Áine Tighe (Irish Fremantle player), Elise Coventry (Geelong assistant)