For Crows AFLW star Niamh Kelly, Adelaide now feels like home.

But she still carries Ireland with her everywhere she goes, with her birth country never far from her mind.

And that is why the All-Australian couldn’t be more excited about the inaugural AFLW Australia v Ireland match set to take place in August.

In a historic moment for the AFLW, the League announced last month that the Australia v Ireland International Rules concept had been given a shake up, with a clash set to take place under AFLW rules.

The match will be the first representative fixture in the AFLW era since the contest between Victoria and the Allies in 2017.

It will celebrate the strong connection between the League and Ireland, with 46 Irish players currently featuring in the AFLW.

“It's very exciting to have the first ever Australian v Ireland game is really special, and obviously it's an historic moment for AFLW as well,” Kelly told AFC Media.

“I think now at this point there's just so many Irish AFLW players in the competition, so it's great that there's enough to be able to play a game against the top talent in Australia as well. 

“All the girls over here playing have such huge pride in that because you move over from Ireland and you sacrifice a lot to leave you know family and friends and you miss a lot about Ireland, but I think having an actual game where it's Ireland v Australia is really special.

“I obviously look forward to going home, but I can’t wait to come back out and just get training and get back to seeing the girls again. I absolutely love it in Adelaide, and it is like a home away from home for me.”

What it would mean to be named on the Irish team

Although the teams for the game have not yet been selected, Kelly said it would mean a lot to her should she be picked to represent Ireland in AFLW.

“It would mean an awful lot to have to be able to potentially represent Ireland playing AFLW would be incredible, and I think even if I didn't make it, I think it's just an amazing opportunity for Ireland, and for all the girls that are playing,” Kelly said.

“I think the games are pretty similar, when you look at the skills, the game, we hand pass in Gaelic, kick, it's quite a running game as well.

“Obviously, the physicality and the differently shaped ball are the big differences, but I think a lot of the girls adapt very well to it, because the Irish tend to bring speed and athleticism to the game, and they bring a kind of a bit of unpredictability to the game as well.”

Kelly is one of four Irish players in Adelaide’s AFLW side, with older sister Grace, Amy Boyle-Carr and Kayleigh Cronin at the Club, while Adelaide’s AFL side has Irishman Mark Keane.

How Irish teammates make the move easier

A move halfway across the globe can be tough sometimes, according to Kelly, but having that Irish connection at the Club helps.

“It's so nice having the four of us here, having that little bit of Irishness, and even having Mark (Keane) here as well in the men's program is incredible too,” Kelly said.

“We meet up with them quite a lot, and we're actually going over to his and they're having the Geelong Irish boys over for dinner, so we're going to have a little Irish dinner before the men’s game on Thursday.

“I think when we're so far away from home, Irish people just tend to connect like that, so it does make you feel a little bit more at home, and see, obviously, having Grace over the last two years has been really nice too, and Amy and Kayleigh too. 

“That's very special.”

Change, challenge and a new era

Adelaide’s AFLW side is preparing to enter a new era with first-time coach Ryan Davis taking the reins following the departure of two-time Premiership mentor Matthew Clarke.

Kelly said the start of pre-season was going well but she was keen for the 2026 campaign to get underway, with the Crows first game set for August 16 against Sydney at Unley Oval.

“I'm really excited to get going this year, we've had so much change, but it's been really fresh and exciting,” Kelly said.

“Ryan has come in and he's doing an incredible job, and he's a great way of connecting with all the girls.

“Training has been fun, it's been tough, but yeah, everyone's just putting their head down and getting to work.

“Things aren't going to just happen overnight, and we know that, but we're willing to put in the hard work and see where the group can go, because we do have incredible people in the program.”

Adelaide will open its 2026 AFLW campaign with a clash against Sydney at Unley Oval on Sunday, August 16.

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