Ex-Banner boss backs Considine in AFLW final
AILISH CONSIDINE’S former manager has claimed it is no surprise that the Clare woman is on the brink of becoming a two-time AFLW champion. Considine’s Adelaide Crows will face off in Saturday’s final against a Brisbane Lions team featuring Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer, and ex-Clare boss James Murrihy is hoping his former charge will emerge with a winners’ medal. ‘I am not surprised that Ailish has been such a success because she had the kicking skills off both her left and right,’ said Murrihy, who believes Considine’s exposure to the AFL prior to going to Australia gave her an extra edge. ‘From a skills perspective she was pretty much there but she had to adapt to the physicality of the game, learn how to tackle and adapt to the rules of the game. ‘I think what helped is that parallel to playing with Clare, she played with West Clare Waves in AFLW Ireland so she had a bit of grounding from that which made it easier to kick the gurney with both feet. That was a great start. ‘When you go back and break it down, Cora Staunton was the standard bearer in showing the way but what makes Ailish’s achievement all the more noteworthy is that she was in that first wave of Irish girls to go over. She’s been a revelation,’ Murrihy said, adding that Considine’s teammates Chelsea Randall, the captain, and Marijana ‘MJ’ Rajcic acted as water carriers for Clare during the 2019 Championship. If Crows win the final, Considine would become Ireland’s most successful export to the AFL as the only two-time champion — eclipsing Tadhg Kennelly’s one success with the Sydney Swans — having been part of the 2019 title win. Meanwhile, Mark Keane is set to make what will be just his second AFL appearance for Collingwood against West Coast Eagles today. Keane, who has recovered from finger surgery, has not played a competitive game since scoring the winning goal in Cork’s win over Kerry last November.