Eilish O’Dowd is a long way from home in a foreign country, but she wouldn’t change it for the world as the Irish speedster revels in her new life as an AFLW player.

Hailing from the small town of Ballinamore in Ireland’s County Leitrim - featuring a population of just over 900 people - O’Dowd’s world has changed dramatically in recent months after uprooting her life to live in Bondi as a professional athlete in a sport she’d never tried until landing in Australia just three months ago.

Having represented her county in Gaelic football at the highest level since juniors, the 180cm speed machine was signed by the GIANTS as a rookie late last year after playing an instrumental role in leading Dublin to the All-Ireland Gaelic Championship.

The fourth Irishwoman signed to the club’s AFLW side since 2017, O’Dowd revealed she originally contemplated a move to Australia 12 months ago to pursue an AFLW career.

“While I was playing [Gaelic] football last year an AFLW scout reached out to me and asked if had any interest in playing AFLW in 2023 or down the line but at the time it wasn’t something I was really able to do as I’d just joined a new team in Dublin and it was such a big decision so I decided to stay and play out the season,” O’Dowd recalls.

“But then as the year went on, I kept thinking about the opportunity and it certainly stayed in the back of my head.”

The lingering thought was given more attention when the GIANTS showed interest in O’Dowd later in the year, leading to a pair of zoom calls with GIANTS coaches which ultimately led to an opportunity she wasn’t going to let pass her by a second time.

“I was delighted when I got the offer, it was great,” O’Dowd said.

“I was weighing up whether to stay and play with Dublin again, as we had just won the All-Ireland Championship, or to come out and play AFLW, so it was a really tough decision to make.

“There was a little bit of a decision process, but in the end, I thought about how these opportunities don’t come around often, so I just went for it, and here we are.

“I know a few other Irish players have come over in the past and I’ve kept an eye on how other girls from Ireland have been doing so I suppose it’s always been an interest of mine.”

Having never picked up an Aussie Rules football or stepped foot in Australia prior to her arrival in January, O’Dowd admits her new surroundings couldn’t be further apart from her world back home.

“It’s very different to Ireland,” she laughed.

“I’m from the west of Ireland, a small country called Leitrim. The weather in Ireland in general is always quite bad, but then in the west we get it even worse with a lot of rainfall.

“Leitrim is a lovely place but it’s so different to Bondi where you’ve got the beach, and the sun is shining every day. It’s a big change but I’m really enjoying it so far.

“I love it, I love Sydney,” she exclaimed.

“Being Irish you appreciate the good weather so much and there’s always so much to do here.

“I’m really enjoying the lifestyle in Sydney. Being far from home can be difficult at times but I’m really enjoying my time in Sydney.”

The 26-year-old says her teammates and coaches are also making her new life in Australia a pleasant one.

“The girls have been fantastic. From collecting me from the airport, to bringing me out to the club and doing extra kicking sessions or getting coffee, they’ve all made me feel really welcome and part of the group.

“Management has been fantastic as well and all the coaches have reached out to offer their support with individual skills.

“I’ve been very lucky to come into such a supportive and welcoming group.”

Turning her attention to her newfound profession, O’Dowd admits that while she’s an expert with the round ball of Gaelic football, it’s going to take her some time to master the uniqueness of an Aussie Rules football.

“My first proper time kicking [an AFLW ball] was when [GIANTS AFLW coach] Cam [Bernasconi] brought me to the club not long after I landed, and we did a few skills with kicking and handballing.

“Something I’m definitely not used to is the shape of the ball and the unpredictability of it.

“With a Gaelic ball you know where it’s going to bounce and go, so it’s been difficult, and I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

While a newcomer to the sport, the Irishwoman is confident that some of her physical attributes which allow her to excel in Gaelic football can help with her transition to AFLW.

“I think my fitness and my speed are two traits I have that will hopefully help the GIANTS as they’re both transferable,” she said.

“I am strong with my handballing in Gaelic football, and I don’t find it too dissimilar [in AFLW] so I feel I’ve adapted to that skill quite well.

“Also, I’m quite competitive so I’m hoping to bring that element of competitiveness into the team.”

Admitting the physicality of Aussie Rules football took her by surprise, O’Dowd says she’s already much more confident on the field after playing in the club’s opening two VFLW games over the past two weeks.

“I didn’t anticipate how physical it was going to be and how fast it was, so I found the first game quite difficult and challenging,” she admitted.

“I made a few mistakes, but I was reassured by a lot of the girls that it happens all the time, especially with the Irish girls coming out, and that the VFLW is the best place to learn.

“I had my second game last weekend and I felt a lot more confident and comfortable and I’m just taking it week by week and trying to work on certain skills.”

With around four months to go until the AFLW season kicks off, O’Dowd is being patient as she looks to get up to speed and break into the GIANTS’ best side for the upcoming season.

“I’m just hoping to develop my own skills and be more confident,” she said.

“It would be amazing to make my debut in round one but ultimately, I’m just hoping we are working well as a group and developing our skills.

“The beauty of it is that I have time. A lot of Irish players come out after the Gaelic football season in August and the pressure is on for them to pick up the skills really quickly [before the AFLW season starts soon after], whereas I have a couple of extra months to pick up those skills [ahead of August’s season] and I’m confident I can do that.”