Offaly star joins Irish cohort in Australia

Offaly footballer Amy Gavin Mangan has joined the contingent of Irish players in Australia, having been recruited by AFLW club North Melbourne.

The Ballycumber native joins Vikki Wall (Meath), Niamh Martin (Tipperary), Erika O’Shea (Cork) and Bláithín Bogue (Fermanagh) at North Melbourne. Known as the Kangaroos, North Melbourne won their first AFLW Premiership last month, defeating the Brisbane Lions in the Grand Final.

Gavin Mangan was the captain of the Naomh Ciarán team which retained the Offaly LGFA Senior Championship this year.

Amy is following in the footsteps of her Naomh Ciarán colleague Kate Kenny, who joined the Geelong Cats earlier this year.

On its website, North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos welcomed Gavin Mangan to the club and explained why they were interested in signing her.

"The 25-year-old stood out to recruiters with her speed and agility while playing Gaelic football, as well as her ability to use her strong athletic traits to her advantage," they said.

Based on Arden Street in Melbourne, the Kangaroos have become a strong force in the AFLW, the national semi-professional Australian rules football league for female players.

Although Gavin Mangan's departure is a blow to the Offaly senior team as well as her Ferbane-based club, Offaly LGFA has congratulated the talented midfielder on her move.

"Huge congratulations to Naomh Ciarán and Offaly player Amy Gavin Mangan who has been signed up to play in the coming AFLW season. Best of luck Amy, North Melbourne's gain and a big loss to Offaly," said Offaly LGFA.

Gavin Mangan is a former student of Moate Community School, and the school has also wished Amy well with her new sporting adventure in Australia.

"Congratulations to MCS past pupil & former school captain Amy Gavin Mangan who has been selected among top athletes to play AFLW with North Melbourne FC. Amy represented MCS with pride and distinction while in school - wishing her every success," Moate CS posted online.