Geelong’s Irish recruit Aishling Moloney said she is still learning the game just six weeks after arriving in Australia

One of Geelong’s new Irish recruits has revealed the emotional few minutes of her debut against the Western Bulldogs in the opening round of AFLW.

On the flight over to Australia for a brand new footballing odyssey, Geelong’s Irish AFLW recruit Aishling Moloney made a pact with her friend, Tipperary teammate and fellow Cat Anna-Rose Kennedy.

Moloney, who arrived in the country about six weeks ago, plucked by the Cats from the Gaelic Athletics Association for season eight of the AFLW, said she had a “hard conversation” with Kennedy coming over on the plane.

Both had realised they were “completely out of our comfort zone”, and on the same page in terms of ability and skill.

“(We were) entering a sport and a team that we don’t know,” Moloney recalled from that conversation.

“Just accepting that and appreciating it.

“Coming in with somebody else who also doesn’t know what’s going on is definitely a help.

“We can have open and honest conversations with each other.

Geelong’s Aishling Moloney made her AFLW debut against the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“She’s a very mature person with a very mature head on her shoulders.”

Moloney admitted she spent many extra hours at Kardinia Park learning the rules in the lead up to Round 1.

“I nearly slept at the club for the first two weeks, and did a few overnighters here trying to learn the rules and pick up the basics,” she said.

And despite kicking a goal in her debut game against Western Bulldogs on Saturday at GMHBA Stadium, Moloney admits was still “trying to get to grips with the game”.

“You just have to continue to learn,” she said.

“I’m so far behind, it’s important for me to just stick with the basics.”

She said she was emotional receiving her new jumper before the match, with her parents watching the game from back home in Ireland.

“It’s something I’ll carry for a long time,” she said.

“I didn’t anticipate I would debut this early.”

Anna-Rose Kennedy and Aishling Moloney. Picture: Geelong Cats

She said the opening minutes of her debut were almost overwhelming.

Playing in front of more than 4400 fans, she found herself wondering: “Is this actually real that I’m here?”

“Fifteen minutes into the game I was trying to calm myself down,” she said.

Playing a similar forward role to back home with Tipperary, Moloney would slot a goal in the second quarter.

The 25-year-old said she was pleased to convert, after missing a few chances against Adelaide in a pre-season fixture, while collecting eight possessions.

She said it had been a “whirlwind” experience so far, but Geelong had been very supportive in the transition.

“I haven’t missed home too much, and I think that’s just kudos to the club and what they’ve done since we’ve landed here,” she said.

Originally published as Geelong’s Irish recruit Aishling Moloney said she is still learning the game just six weeks after arriving in Australia