Armagh star admits the lure of life in Australia can be tough to resist as more GAA players move Down Under

08:12, 16 Oct 2026Updated 08:24, 16 Oct 2026

Aimee Mackin has ticked that particular goal off her list and, although he has no desire to return to the AFLW, she knows exactly why the lure of moving Down Under can be hard to resist.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Donegal star Finnbarr Roarty, the 2025 Young Footballer of the Year, has signed a two-year rookie contract with Collingwood.

The player who could well succeed him to the Young FOTY accolade, Mayo’s Kobe McDonald, penned a deal with St Kilda’s, although he was permitted to remain in Ireland this summer and, ultimately, played a key role as Andy Moran’s side won the Sam Maguire for the first time in 75 years.

Mackin played in the AFLW in 2023 for Melbourne, joining her sister Blaithin, who signed in 2022.

Roarty is expected to fly out to complete his deal with the Melbourne-based Collingwood following Sunday’s Donegal SFC final with his native Naomh Conaill bidding to retain their title against St Eunan’s.

Mackin says the lifestyle in Australia is a huge draw, not just for professional athletes, but also for Irish wishing to emigrate to the country.

“I suppose in general regardless of the AFL, the amount of Irish people probably in everyone's communities. . . I think it is the country itself.

“It’s class, the lifestyle that they have and the weather and living by the beach - it’s a great experience for people, regardless of going over to play a sport.

“It's the lifestyle probably that sucks you in and just maybe for individuals having maybe something else that they want to do in their life and it's very different to what others want to do.”

“It comes down to an individual and sort of what they want to do in their own life and it's probably a big topic at the minute with the strikes.

“I know for myself it was just 'right, I'll try this out for a year and see how I go' but I think for me I always had that love of playing Gaelic football and, maybe, it didn’t draw me in as much.

“The country was brilliant and the experience was class, but I would never have given up playing for the county. If I'd have missed the county, I don’t think I would have gone at all.”

Mackin, speaking at Thursday’s launch of the AIB Club Championship, also allayed fears her brother Ciarán had sustained another serious knee injury after missing the latter stages of the Armagh IFC campaign with Shane O’Neill's.

The siblings rehabbed together as they fought their way back to fitness after they both suffered a second Cruciate injury in 2024.

She insists Ciarán’s latest setback is “nothing major” and was grateful that the pair were able to support each other throughout the course of a frustrating 2025 campaign.

“I think for the two of us it was kind of weird when the news came through we were like, ‘what the hell’ - two people in the same house in the one week?’

“It was a bit strange but yeah, I think probably the same mindset in terms you just have to get on with things and I suppose that's what our family is like in our house.

“You just have to, as much as when it hits you first it's a bit emotional and sad I suppose, there's just that bit of ‘right, let's get on, get on the road and get on with things’ and I suppose the two of us, yeah, we bounced back off each other in a good way.

“Sometimes it was competitive with whatever we were at and what stage we were at, but I think our family support in general is very good and as well as focusing on your rehab sometimes it was nice with the family just to take your mind off things and just relax I suppose away from that side of it too.

“We're a pretty close family so we definitely looked out for each other that way.”

Mackin, who scored 1-12 in the Armagh final against Crossmaglen as Shane O’Neill’s won their first senior title, was named as the The Croke Park Hotel/LGFA Player of the Month for September.

She is also nominated for a TG4 All-Star and is shortlisted for the Player of the Year.

Next on the horizon is an Ulster Club campaign which begins with Sunday’s trip to Cavan to face Knockbride.

With several of last season’s contenders, including Ulster champions Moneyglass and beaten finalists Errigal Ciaran, returning for 2026, Mackin knows how competitive the provincial campaign will be.

“Moneyglass were flying last year and Donaghmoyne are back to their best and they were really experienced there for a good number of years,” added the Armagh star.

“I remember watching them years ago and they were the top team.

“Obviously, the likes of Bredagh and you’ve Errigal Ciaran who were finalists last year. It’s really healthy competition and I think, as players, that’s the games that we enjoy and you want to play against the best -it'll be exciting.”

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