Ireland Footy 9s jumper front
AUSTRALIA & IRELAND
Irish Australians have played a considerable part in the history of Australia. They came to Australia from the late 18th century as convicts but most were prisoners of war, mainly those who fought in the 1798 Irish rebellion for independence, and settlers who could not find a life during the Irish famine and the harsh years in Ireland afterwards. They contributed largely to Australia’s development in many different areas.

Australia and Ireland enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, with one in ten Australians claiming Irish descent:
Resident Australian population born in Ireland (2016 census) – 74,891
Australian residents of Irish descent (2016 census) – 2.39 million

TEAM IRELAND
The Irish Exiles are based in Melbourne. The Exiles compete in the annual World 9s and Harmony Cup in Melbourne.

The Irish Men have won the Harmony Cup 4 times, whilst the Irish Women were World 9s champions in 2021 and Harmony Cup champions in 2024.

If you are based in Melbourne and keen to try an exciting new sport, please contact us.

AFL PLAYERS
Jim Stynes | Tadgh Kennelly | Colm Begley | Dermott Brereton | Zach Tuohy | Ciarán Byrne | Ray Connellan | Conor McKenna | Paul Earley | Pearce Hanley | Darragh Joyce | James Magner | Jock McHale | Niall McKeever | Dermot McNicholl | Caolan Mooney | Conor Nash | Mark O’Connor | Brett O’Hanlon | Jamie O’Reilly | Colin O’Riordan | Setanta Ó hAilpín | Michael Quinn | Ciarán Sheehan | Brian Stynes | Tommy Walsh | Aidan Corr

Sharon Mulligan World 9s

Sharon Mulligan

Founder, Team Ireland

Restrictions had only just been lifted when we first rocked up to our first Footy 9s training with no idea what to expect. We joined a group of people from all over the world and went straight into a mixed training session. I will never forget this session because it was the most fun any of us had since lockdown began. There was smiles everywhere. Everybody was so happy to be out in the fresh air kicking the footy!

Each Sunday us Irish girls went down to training and had the craic with everyone. The actual 9s Tournament was a fantastic day. Everything ran on time and everything was catered for. Although we won on the day I believe all us girls had already won before we played the tournament. We had won at meeting new people, kicking the footy and having a lot of fun each week. It was a bonus that us Irish girls walked away with the silverware. And to be presented with our medals by the one and only Ron Barassi was a moment we will never forget!