Rowe will play by the Rules in Oz
SARAH ROWE will play professional sport in Australia next year after signing for AFLW side Collingwood but has reaffirmed her commitment to playing with Mayo.
She is following in the footsteps of teammate
Cora Staunton, who became the first LGFA recruit to play in the AFLW with GWS Giants.
Former Cavan star Laura Duryea was the first Irish player to perform in the league in its inaugural season in 2017, when she was drafted by Melbourne, but she had been living in Australia for a number of years and playing Aussie Rules at amateur level.
The offer to Rowe comes as a result of significant interest in the Kilmoremoy sharpshooter and the Pies were one of six clubs visited by the 23-year-old during a whistlestop tour after Mayo’s defeat by Dublin in the National League Final in April.
Rowe said: “I’m really looking forward to it.
“But I remain fully committed to Mayo and will be as involved as I can before I leave and when I’m home.
“And the way the season runs in Australia, I will be back before the end of the league and fully focussed on trying to win an All-ireland with the county.”
Aussie Rules is the third sport the multi-talented Rowe will be playing at the highest level, having lined out in last year’s All-ireland Final for Mayo and has also played international soccer for Ireland.
Rowe will arrive for pre-season training on November 1 but will be allowed home for a 12-day break at Christmas and she will use that time to touch base with Mayo.