Mayo All-Star set for inter-county return

Mayo ladies football manager Michael Moyles has been given a boost as two-time All-Star Rachel Kearns looks set to play for Mayo next year.

A report in the Irish Examiner says the 25-year-old will start training with her county in the new year and play in the league. A decision on championship involvement cannot be made until a start date is confirmed for the new season in Australia. Kearns was the only member of Mayo’s AFLW contingent named in Michael Moyles 2022 championship squad.

Kearns joined Geelong in 2021 and has played 14 games since.

Last May, the AFL and AFL Players Association announced a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that increased salary levels for the league. It was only then that players received confirmation the season would start in August and signings could be approved.

That was a one-year deal with more negotiations to take place in early 2023. A joint AFL/AFLW/CBA is looking increasingly likely.

In previous seasons, Irish players had the best of both worlds as they could play the LGFA season at home before flying Down Under. The move back to August complicated matters as it means pre-season starts during the championship, forcing several stars to make a decision.