Irish national Australian rules football team

The Irish national Australian rules football team represent Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

in Australian rules football

Australian rules football

Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...

and is selected from the best Irish born players from the clubs of the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland

Australian Rules Football League of Ireland

The Australian rules football League of Ireland is an Australian rules football competition and governing body in Ireland.The league is an International Affiliate of the Australian Football League and a founding member of the European governing body, .The league is not affiliated with the Gaelic...

.

The team is notable as taking the Atlantic Alliance Cup undefeated in 2001 to become European champions before also taking the 2002 International Cup undefeated to become international champions.

While the team has since been eclipsed in recent years with the emergence of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, it remains in the top five nations in the sport. Ireland's form has been largely unpredictable due to the availability of experienced Gaelic football

Gaelic football

Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...

ers in its playing pool.

Identity

The team was first nickname

Nickname

A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....

d "Fianna na hÉireann" (Irish

Irish language

Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...

for "Fianna

Fianna

Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....

of Ireland") after a band of heroic warriors in Irish mythology

Irish mythology

The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...

. In 2005, it was renamed the "Green Machine".

The team wears a green (one of the national colours of Ireland) guernsey with a Celtic

Celtic art

Celtic art is the art associated with the peoples known as Celts; those who spoke the Celtic languages in Europe from pre-history through to the modern period, as well as the art of ancient peoples whose language is uncertain, but have cultural and stylistic similarities with speakers of Celtic...

strip featuring the Irish harp symbol.

History

The Irish team won the Atlantic Alliance Cup in 2001 to become the northern hemisphere champions.

In the following year, the team participated in the inaugural Australian Football International Cup

Australian Football International Cup

The Australian Football International Cup is an international sport competition in Australian rules football...

and finished first, leaving the competition as international champions. The team benefitted from the availability of several Gaelic football

Gaelic football

Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...

players.

In 2005, Ireland finished 4th. An increasingly competitive New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...

and the United States of America finished ahead of Ireland and the team suffered from injury and the Gaelic Athletic Association

Gaelic Athletic Association

The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...

discouraging the use of Gaelic players.

The Green Machine's best and fairest player (from the 2005 International Cup) is Mike Finn.

Recently the national team played a curtain raiser at the West Coast Eagles

West Coast Eagles

The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...

vs Fremantle

Fremantle Football Club

The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...

exhibition match at the Oval

The Oval

The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...

in London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

where they beat the British Bulldogs.

The Warriors finished 4th again at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup

2008 Australian Football International Cup

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....

and the best and fairest player was once again Mike Finn. 3 Irish players were selected in the All-International team.

Test Results

Year	Result	Venue
2005	Ireland 8.9.(57) def Great Britain 5.6.(36)	London, UK
2006	Ireland def Great Britain	London, UK
2007	Great Britain 11.15(81) def Ireland 2.9(21)	Dublin, Ireland
2009	Ireland 8.6 (54) defeated Great Britain 4.9 (33)	Dublin, Ireland

International Honours

2010 European Championships in Australian Football Champions

{|class="wikitable"
! style="background:silver;" | Year
! style="background:silver;" | Atlantic Alliance Cup

Atlantic Alliance Cup

The Atlantic Alliance Cup is an international Australian rules football tournament run every 3 years. The inaugural tournament was in pitting clubs and national teams from the North Atlantic together....

! style="background:silver;" | Coach
! style="background:silver;" | Manager
|-
|2001

Atlantic Alliance Cup

: 1st
| Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson (Gaelic footballer)

Michael 'Mickey' Johnson is a former Antrim Gaelic footballer.-Playing career:He represented Antrim GAA at all levels and won a Ulster Under-21 Football Championship Medal in 1989. He also represented Antrim at senior level for 13 years. He retired in 2002 to concentrate on Aussie Rules...

(C), Neil McFlynn, Shane O'Laughlin, Dominic O'Laughlin, Dermot O'Laughlin, Ryan McFlynn, Michael Currane, Fergal Bradshaw, Joe Cunnane

Joe Cunnane

Big Joe Cunnane is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:The Tulsk GAA & clubman was the ruckman on the Ireland national Australian rules football team which won the 2002 Australian Football International Cup and was top scorer in the 2001 Atlantic Alliance Cup...

, Aaron Flood

Aaron Flood

Aaron Flood is a former Kildare Gaelic footballer.-Playing career:He represented Kildare GAA at senior level in the O'Byrne Cup and the NFL form 2005 to 2008. He previously represent the Ireland national Australian rules football team, that won the 2001 Atlantic Alliance Cup and 2002 Australian...

, Derek Mulligan

Derek Mulligan

Derek Mulligan is a former Westmeath GAA junior Gaelic footballer and an Australian rules footballer.-Playing career:The St. Mary’s of Rochfortbridge clubman represented Westmeath GAA at junior level. Mulligan also represented the Ireland national Australian rules football team, that won the 2001...

, Alan Kelly, Denis Reidy

Denis Reidy

Dr. Denis Reidy is a former Limerick GAA Gaelic footballer.-Gaelic Football:The Gerald Griffins GAA clubman represented Limerick GAA at Senior, Under 21 and Junior championship level, winning a McGrath Cup medal in 2001. He played for University College Cork that won the Cork Senior Football...

, Fergal Killoury, Diarmuid Griffin

Diarmuid Griffin

Diarmuid "Griff" Griffin is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:Griff is a native of Doolin, Co. Clare and is the founder of the Leeside Lions and went on to play two seasons with the Uni Blacks and one season with the Fitzroy Reds.He represented the Ireland...

, Gary Lane, Liam O'Connor

Liam O'Connor (Irish footballer)

Liam O'Connor is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:The Millstreet GAA clubman played for the Ireland national Australian rules football team, that won the 2001 Atlantic Alliance Cup and the 2002 Australian Football International Cup. He was Ireland's leading...

, Brian Currane, Declan O'Sullivan, Derek Collentine, Alan Coomey

Alan Coomey

Alan Coomey is a Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:Coomey played Centre line wingman for the Ireland national Australian rules football team, that won the 2001 Atlantic Alliance Cup and the 2002 Australian Football International Cup. He was Ireland's leading...

, Emmet Humphries, Declan Cotter, Steve Brennan, Kieran Brennan, Paul Crowley, James McCartan

James McCartan

James McCartan is a retired Irish Gaelic footballer and current manager. He played for Down between 19xx and xxxx. McCartan was part of the Down team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1991 and 1994. McCartan also won two Ulster Senior Football Championships with the county...

, Will Hayes, Robert Toal, David Walsh
RESULTS: IRE 18.16(124) d. GB

Great Britain national Australian rules football team

The Great Britain National Australian Rules Football team is known as the British Bulldogs. The team is made up of the best British born players selected from the clubs of AFL Britain affiliated competitions in England, Wales and Scotland...

2.3(15), IRE 9.9(63) d. USA 4.5(29), IRE 8.9(57) d. DEN 1.4(10), IRE 7.21(63) d. CAN 1.5(11) *FINAL: IRE 6.12(48) d. DEN 3.1(19)
|Darren Fitzpatrick

Darren Fitzpatrick

Darren Fitzpatrick was a former coach of the Ireland national Australian rules football team-Playing & Coaching Career:Fitzpatrick was a former rookie with the Western Bulldogs. He guided the Irish team to victory in the inaugural 2002 Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne and the...

|Dave Tierney
|-
{|class="wikitable"
! style="background:silver;" | Year
! style="background:silver;" |Australian Football International Cup

Australian Football International Cup

The Australian Football International Cup is an international sport competition in Australian rules football...

! style="background:silver;" | Coach
! style="background:silver;" | Manager
|-
|2002

2002 Australian Football International Cup

The 2002 Australian Football International Cup was the inaugural international Australian rules football tournament held in Melbourne, Australia in 2002....

: 1st
| Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson (Gaelic footballer)

(C), Neil McFlynn, Donal Boylan, Dualtach Johnson, Barry Denham (VC), Ryan McFlynn, Michael Currane, Fergal Bradshaw, Joe Cunnane

Joe Cunnane

, Aaron Flood

Aaron Flood

, Derek Mulligan

Derek Mulligan

, Alan Kelly, Denis Reidy

Denis Reidy

, Fergal Killoury, Diarmuid Griffin

Diarmuid Griffin

, Gary Lane, Liam O'Connor

Liam O'Connor (Irish footballer)

, Brian Currane, Declan O'Sullivan, Paul Kiely, John Lack O'Sullivan

John Lack O'Sullivan

John Lack O'Sullivan is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:The Adrigole GFC clubman was one of key players that won the Cork Junior Football Championship in 2002, but past away before the final...

, Alan Coomey

Alan Coomey

, Emmet Humphries, Declan Cotter, Brian Shortall, Seán McPhillips, Brian Boyle, David Stynes

David Stynes

David Stynes is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer.-Playing career:Stynes played for Ireland's winning team in the 2002 Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne. He was also selected for the All-Star Team, and returned with the team that reached the semi finals of...

, Damien Burns.
RESULTS: IRE 7.14(56) def CAN 4.7(31), IRE 5.6(36) def SAM 4.5(29), IRE 7.7(49) d. USA 6.3(39), IRE 15.8(98) def SA 3.3(21), IRE 4.10(34) def NZ

New Zealand national Australian rules football team

The New Zealand national Australian rules football team nicknamed the Falcons, is the national team for the sport of Australian rules football in New Zealand. The team is selected from the best New Zealand born and developed players, primarily from the clubs of the New Zealand AFL. New Zealand-born...

3.2(20) *FINAL: IRE 7.9(51) def PNG

Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team represents Papua New Guinea in the team sport of Australian rules football....

2.7(19)
|Darren Fitzpatrick

Darren Fitzpatrick

|Damien Cassidy
|-
|2005

2005 Australian Football International Cup

The 2005 Australian Football International Cup was the second time that the Australian Football International Cup tournament, an international Australian rules football competition was held....

: 4th
|Mark Ryan, Dennis Goggin, Phillip Whelan, James Flavin, Ciaran Drummey, Declan Drummey, John Enright, John Fahy, Seán Fallon, Dennis Kenelly, Gerrard Johnston, Ronan Johnston, Ciaran Keegan, Pat Leavy, Diarmuid Griffin

Diarmuid Griffin

(v/c), Shaun McElhone, Brian O’Connell (c), Clifford Richardson

Clifford Richardson

-Playing career:The Carrigallen GAA clubman represented Leitrim GAA at senior level and played for the Ireland national Australian rules football team in the 2005 Australian Football International Cup, in Melbourne and returned with the team for the 2008 Australian Football International Cup,...

, Darragh O’Hagan, Paul O’Mahoney, Rory Rafter, David Whelan, Ian O'Sullivan, Derek Troy, Mark Kilgallon, Cian Quigley

Cian Quigley

Cian Quigley is a former Gaelic footballer and Australian rules footballer-Playing career:The Kinsale GAA and Leeside Lions clubman played for the Ireland national Australian rules football team in the 2005 Australian Football International Cup, in Melbourne and returned with the team for the 2008...

, Mike Finn, David Stynes

David Stynes

, Ruairi Convery
RESULTS: IRE 4.7(31) def CAN 3.5(23), USA 2.5(17) def IRE 1.7(13), IRE 10.9(69) def SA 1.4(10), IRE 7.11(53) def Japan 1.0(6), PNG

Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team represents Papua New Guinea in the team sport of Australian rules football....

5.4(34) def IRE 3.7(25), USA 10.5(65) def IRE 4.6(30)

|Krizan Vekic
|Diarmuid O Riain
|-
|2008

2008 Australian Football International Cup

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....

: 4th
| Seán Fallon, Ray Colleran, Clifford Richardson

Clifford Richardson

, Garret Kelleher, Alan Lavin, Joe Cunnane

Joe Cunnane

, Padraig Hannon, Cian Quigley

Cian Quigley

, Mike Finn, David Lally, John Enright, Michael Currane, Paul O’Mahony, Patrick Leavy, Diarmuid Griffin

Diarmuid Griffin

, Ray Saurin, Ian O’Sullivan Paddy Gibbs, Brian O’Connell, Denis Goggin, James Flavin, Alan Tierney, James O’Byrne, Stephen Keegan, David Walsh, Alex Whooley, Brian Currane, Liam Twoomey, Daire Ó hAodhagáin, Martin Ruane, Ciarán Keegan
RESULTS: SA 4.9(33) def IRE 5.2(32), NZ

New Zealand national Australian rules football team

8.9(57) def IRE 2.3(15), IRE 4.6(30) def CAN l2.2(14), IRE 13.20(98) def FIN 0.0(0), IRE 12.12(84) def SWE 1.0(6)
|Roger Clarke
|Ciarán Ó Headhra
Paul Ryan
|-
|2011

2011 Australian Football International Cup

The 2011 Australian Football International Cup is the fourth edition of the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition run by the Australian Football League....

: 1st
| Cian Quigley

Cian Quigley

, Aidan Hickey, Clifford Richardson

Clifford Richardson

, Fergal McManus, John Heslin

John Heslin

John Heslin is a Westmeath GAA Gaelic footballer. and Australian rules footballer for the Richmond Football Club.-Playing career:The St Loman's GAA clubman represented University College Dublin in the Sigerson Cup and Westmeath GAA at all level's and starred as Westmeath reached the Leinster...

, Joe Cunnane

Joe Cunnane

, Paul Sharry

Paul Sharry

Paul Sharry is a Westmeath GAA Gaelic footballer.-Playing career:The St Loman's GAA clubman represented Westmeath GAA at senior level and played in the NFL division 3 final in 2011. Sharry represented the Ireland national Australian rules football team, that won the 2011 Australian Football...

, Alex Whooley, Mike Finn, Fearghal Purcell, John Enright, Darren Sheils, Barry Holland, Roch Hanmore, Philip Bredin, David McElhone, Larry Kavanagh, Manus Breathnach, Eoin Ó Súileabháin, Niall McDonagh, Joe Rocks, James Flavin, David Coffey, James O’Byrne, Seán McGuinness, John Tierney

John Tierney (Gaelic footballer)

John Tierney is a former Cavan Gaelic footballer.-Playing career:The Knockbride clubman represented Dublin City University & Cavan GAA at Minor, U-21 and senior level in the Dr. McKenna Cup, NFL and played left half forward in the Ulster Senior Football Championship final defeat to Tyrone in 2001...

, Gerard Walls

Gerard Walls

Gerard 'Ger' Walls is a former Antrim Gaelic footballer.-Playing career:The Lámh Dhearg GAC clubman represented Antrim GAA at all levels and was called up to the senior panel in 2009, he played in the Dr. McKenna Cup, NFL in 2010...

, Kevin O’Brien, Alan Coomey

Alan Coomey

, David Stynes

David Stynes

, Michael Carey, Brendan Nannery, Gerard Lenihan
RESULTS: IRE 14.9(93) def. East Timor 0.0(0), IRE 8.6(54) d. GB

Great Britain national Australian rules football team

1.0(6), IRE 15.14(104) d. SWE 1.0(6), IRE 11.6(72) d. DEN 1.3(9), IRE 5.16(46) d. NZ

New Zealand national Australian rules football team

2.1(13) *FINAL: IRE 8.5(53) d. PNG

Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team represents Papua New Guinea in the team sport of Australian rules football....

5.5(35)
|Tom Madigan
|Ciarán Ó Headhra
|-
|2011

2011 Australian Football International Cup

: 1st Banshees
|Emma Kelly, Ciara McGurk, Aimee-Louise Hazley, Laura Corrigan, Natlie Behan, Marie Keating, Gillian Behan, Nuala O’Hagan,Emma Behan, Claire Cunningham Louise Loughlin, Ashlene Groogan, Fiona Cotter, Kate Fitzsimons, U. McKay, S. Ryan, N. Ryan, A. Sheils, Kerr, Aitken, Tracey
RESULTS: IRE 4.7(31) def CAN 1.2(8), IRE 19.13(127) def AUS

Women's Australian rules football

Women's Australian rules football is a fast growing sport played at senior level in Australia, United States, England, New Zealand, Canada and Japan. At junior level, it is also played in Papua New Guinea, Argentina and South Africa...

0.1(1), IRE 12.8(80) def PNG

Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team

The Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team represents Papua New Guinea in the team sport of Australian rules football....

2.0(12), IRE 5.5(35) def USA 2.4(16) *FINAL IRE 5.9(39) def CAN 1.2(8).
|Andrew Hickey
|Shaun Saurin
|-
|}

Irish players selected for All-International Team

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Player
|-
|2002 Australian Football International Cup

2002 Australian Football International Cup

The 2002 Australian Football International Cup was the inaugural international Australian rules football tournament held in Melbourne, Australia in 2002....

|Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson (Gaelic footballer)

, Aaron Flood

Aaron Flood

, Liam O'Connor

Liam O'Connor (Irish footballer)

, David Stynes

David Stynes

|-
|2005 Australian Football International Cup

2005 Australian Football International Cup

The 2005 Australian Football International Cup was the second time that the Australian Football International Cup tournament, an international Australian rules football competition was held....

|Clifford Richardson

Clifford Richardson

, Mike Finn
|-
|2008 Australian Football International Cup

2008 Australian Football International Cup

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested....

|Mike Finn, Ian O'Sullivan, Cian Quigley

Cian Quigley

|-
|2011 Australian Football International Cup

2011 Australian Football International Cup

|Mike Finn, Paul Sharry

Paul Sharry

, Kevin O’Brien
|-
|2011 Australian Football International Cup

2011 Australian Football International Cup

Women's World Team
|Laura Corrigan, Natlie Behan, Marie Keating, Gillian Behan,
Nuala O’Hagan, Louise Loughlin, Emma Kelly, Ashlene Groogan
|-
|}

External links

Official website of the Irish Warriors national team

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